How to spot a fake sovereign.

[HighlandTiger]

I wouldn't worry too much, at those prices no-one is going to be daft enough to buy them anyway. 

[garthy]

In my opinion these are fakes. Currently on ebay. Any comments ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22ct-Half-Gold-Sovereign-dated-2005-Uncirculated-condition-high-mint-state-/161462282898

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22ct-Half-Gold-Sovereign-dated-2003-Uncirculated-condition-high-mint-state-/161462282906

 

I agree with you Vulture, when you blow them up they look cast to me, look across the coin near the the neck of the queens head a stamped coin doesn't have that texture, also check the crown on the 2002 sov and how it falls into the sheild, I'd also say they were fakes.  

 

 

[garthy]

The surface of the coin is mottled, 'orange peely' I describe it as.

 

 

'Orange peely' I like that, steer clear of coins with an orange peel texture, the sign of somethings that's been moulded into a shape then cooled instead of gold blanks that've been stamped with dies.   

[HelpingHands]

They look OK to me. I've not seen any fakes of those designs.

[alec86]

looks like a South Africa mint mark its got a mintage of 18.235,000, looks good to me but im no expert 

[HighlandTiger]

I agree with Alex, looks fine to me. If you can get it for 230-240 Euros, you will have done well

 

[HelpingHands]

Depends whether that black mark will come off (or if it's a shadow).  If not, I wouldn't expect collectors rushing to pay well over spot. 

[HighlandTiger]

Depends whether that black mark will come off (or if it's a shadow).  If not, I wouldn't expect collectors rushing to pay well over spot. 

 

Collectors wouldn't be paying much over spot anyway for that coin. It has a very high mintage and not hard to find. Personally, I'd just clean the coin, and stick it in my album. It's a bullion coin really more than a collectors coin.

[Keithoil]

In my opinion these are fakes. Currently on ebay. Any comments ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22ct-Half-Gold-Sovereign-dated-2005-Uncirculated-condition-high-mint-state-/161462282898

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22ct-Half-Gold-Sovereign-dated-2003-Uncirculated-condition-high-mint-state-/161462282906

 

Sometimes it is blatantly obvious they are fakes but with these mmmm, not sure the only true way to tell is to get your hands on them and do the the tests.

[Barnstormer]

Just found this thread. I have a fake sovereign in my collection which I've held on to as a curiosity. I'll get some pictures up when I get a chance.

 

Cheers!

Barns

[Pete]

Just found this thread. I have a fake sovereign in my collection which I've held on to as a curiosity. I'll get some pictures up when I get a chance.

 

Cheers!

Barns

Maybe also tell us fellow stackers the specifics of why your coin is a fake for educational purposes.

[Barnstormer]

Maybe also tell us fellow stackers the specifics of why your coin is a fake for educational purposes.

 

Consider it done. I'll post a pictoral guide when I can get myself organised.

 

Cheers!

Barns

[garthy]

How about this one? Looks suspect to me....

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-HALF-SOVEREIGN-COIN-1866-SHIELD-BACK-VICTORIA-22ct-GOLD-/271652229358?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item3f3fbc10ee

[Kman]

How about this one? Looks suspect to me....

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-HALF-SOVEREIGN-COIN-1866-SHIELD-BACK-VICTORIA-22ct-GOLD-/271652229358?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item3f3fbc10ee

 

That looks very shiny, dimply, features look wobbly and round 

 

I would guess it was a fake, but I know just about nothing so I don't trust my own opinion 

[Danny-boy]

I'm a silver stacker, but that looks way wrong to me.

I'd bet my balls that's a fake.

[garthy]

I agree Dan, 19 bids though, seems some people don't agree.  

[Danny-boy]

I agree Dan, 19 bids though, seems some people don't agree.

Garthy, no offence to anybody that uses the site (myself included), but the stupidity of the vast majority of eBay buyers never ceases to amaze me.

[alec86]

you pays your money you makes your choice, but i wouldn't touch it,

[Pete]

How about this one? Looks suspect to me....

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-HALF-SOVEREIGN-COIN-1866-SHIELD-BACK-VICTORIA-22ct-GOLD-/271652229358?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item3f3fbc10ee

Very difficult to tell but the surface condition appears awful - maybe the picture rather than the coin.

An 1866 half sov type IB ( has a die number ) is not rare and had a mintage of around 2 million.

The die number is difficult to make out - see the two digits on the reverse at the bottom of the shield.

[Keithoil]

Yes it looks very suspect to me, looks like a chocolate one!!!

[HelpingHands]

It looks like its made by the same person as the sov Kman sent back.

Compare with this.http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&searchterm=Sovereign+1866&category=9&searchtype=1

[Danny-boy]

It looks like its made by the same person as the sov Kman sent back.

That was my first thought, but I couldn't remember who it was.

[Kman]

It looks like its made by the same person as the sov Kman sent back.

Compare with this.http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&searchterm=Sovereign+1866&category=9&searchtype=1

 

Oh yes I meant to post about that 

 

Paul emailed me

 

Good news. The coin has been looked at by two of the most established numismatic coin dealers in the UK and both agree that the coin is genuine. It has just been used and perhaps worn in jewellery and that is the reason for its condition.

 

He offered that I could buy it again at a discounted price, I declined. 

[HelpingHands]

Well if that's the case I am surprised.

[HelpingHands]

I haven't seen them relist it on their site.