Hello chaps, last week I decided to get myself to a gold coin from the year I was born. I found a proof Sovereign on ebay and bought it for £430, plus £8 postage. The person I bought it from asked that I leave feedback once it arrives so that he be paid the money faster, I did this, but now I'm looking at the coin and wondering if it is even real. Can you have a look at it for me? Immediately on opening the capsule, lots of little pieces of plastic fell out. It looks as though it had been over tightened and shattered. Then on the George and Dragon side, looks like tarnish or fingerprints? An hour searching in lots of old boxes I found the jewelers loupe I knew I had. I've took a look at the coin closely under the illuminated loupe and just don't know if it's real or not. There appears a dark black spot on the horses neck, I don't know what this is or why it would be there, but if it's a fake perhaps a bit of plating coming off? The coin weighs 8.01g on my cheap chinese digital scales. I know it is far from proof, even if it were sold as 10/10. What I really need to know is if it is even real?
I'm a total noob at this. I've bought a number of coins from the royal mint over the years but never a gold sovereign let alone a used one from ebay advertised as 10/10 proof. Please help.
Cheers, Dan