The coin is worth about £60, has anyone ever romoved a coin mounted thus from a dish and how did it go? The dish is early 20th C. and about 4 ounces.
I'd look into the hallmarks as Tommy suggested, to pinpoint an exact date on the manufacture of the plate. I'd want to know for sure before removing the coin as if the plate is of 18th century manufacture it could be significant.
The dish is London 1901, nice enough but no great item. I have not looked up the maker, likely to be some men in a shed somewhere, not one of the few famous names. Coins are often set in late 18th, early 19th C. toddy ladles, as part of the bowl. I'd not mess with one of them.
I'd just leave it in there and sell it to someone else for a little profit. I don't think it's possible to remove the coin without serious damage.
I would imagine it's worth more in the dish, AS a dish, than the coin would be if removed. If you remove it, you've got a ruined dish and a problem coin. Best to keep the two together as a neat historical curiosity. (Which it certainly is.)
The only excuse for breaking it out would be if the coin spins in its mount and so is not soldered directly to the silver dish. If this were the case, which I doubt, you could get a usable coin out. Otherwise you will be exchanging a nice dish for a damaged coin and some scrap silver.
Exactly what I was thinking. This could have special significance as it might have been part of a special set made for a special occasion. It's easy enough to find these items scattered all around the country at flea markets, estate sales and such. And although it's true, there were some left over old men in their sheds still making items after the big names ran them out of business, it might be all that more important if it is a very limited item.
