Hi I am very new to this. I have a large collection of coins from around the world but they are mainly 20th century and are really just for fun. Recently, however, I was given a £5 Victoria Jubilee coin dated 1887. A friend tells me it could be gold but I've no idea. It is a little dirty but not very worn and the inscriptions and designs are extremely sharp..like a modern coin. Could it really be gold? I'll be able to upload a photo tomorrow but I was interested in your initial thoughts. Many thanks in advance, Hamish (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Howdy Hamish - Welcome to the Forum !! If the coin indeed an 1887 £5, then yes it is gold - almost 2 ounces of gold. And dirty or not, please do not attempt to clean it in any way shape or form. That would cause the coin to lose a large part of its value. Please post pics when you can.
Welcome to the forum Hamish. If genuine, your coin is one of only 54,000 39.9403g of 22K gold designated KM#769 in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. It's current bullion value of over $1,000 equals its catalog valuation in uncirculated condition in the 2001 3rd Ed. 19th Century volume. If by some remote chance it has an "S" mint mark below the right rear hoof of St. George's horse, it would be one of the 797 proofs minted at Sydney, Australia.
