Darkside Gold

Cladiator

Hi all,

I desperately want to include some gold in my collection. The problem being that pretty much all of the Lightside gold is financially out of my reach, excluding the modern "crap". I know for the most part Darkside coins bring smaller premiums than their Lightside counterparts and was wondering what is out there in the Darkside gold "non modern crap" department? Would love to see photos and hear suggestions as to any Darkside gold that is attainable on a budget.

Sylvestius

In English collecting terms;

Sovereigns, half sovereigns, guineas, half guineas, gold crowns and quarter nobles.


Depending on the budget depends upon which you can get;


Early 20th century sovereigns tend to be around $100-$120 (c. size of a quarter)

Early 20th century half sovereigns roughly $65-$80 (between size of dime and nickel)

Guineas (18th century) - (Geo III ones) you're looking at about $700-$800 (Just bigger than a quarter)

Half Guineas (18th century) - (Geo III) about $500-$600 (Just a tad smaller than a nickel)

Hammered gold crowns (Early 17th century) - (occasionally turn up) roughly - $700-$800 (about the size of a nickel)

Quarter Nobles roughly (14th and 15th centuries) - $450-$600 (just smaller than a nickel).*

*I know where there's one for $300 but it's a bit beaten up, but cheap.

Sylvestius

The prices above are all for coins of VF condition or better.

(Excluding the gold crowns where it's for F or better).


Might look more expensive than budget but you've got to view it from real terms.

1908-D Indian $10 lists as $400 in EF and there's probably alot more of those.

A 1776 Guinea might go for twice the price but they'll be less common, true old gold, a date that always sells well and a piece of history in both England and the US.

syraq

French 20 francs and especially the beautiful "roosters", Swiss 20 francs,German 20 marks, Belgian 20 francs,Italian 20 lire, and much more can be obtained for a very small premium above BV in choice-gem BU condition (except for key dates). These weight 6.45 grams (the Germans slightly more) ,or 1/5 oz. I'm sure there are plenty of others but my brain is not functioning properly the last few days.

trozau

<< <i>"non modern crap" >>


From somebody with Clad on the handle name?

Sylvestius

I thought much the same...

DorkGirl

Ahhhh, Darkside gold, my latest passion. These beautiful little bullion coins can be bought for just a small premium over spot. A quick scan to give you a taste

MSD61

I picked this up just the other day. It's not a huge heavy gold coin but still a nice gold coin for a good price. It's a small gold coin but great for adding darkside gold to a collection with limited capital.

Cladiator

Thanks for the info all, lots of looking to do now!


<< <i>From somebody with Clad on the handle name? >>


Don't ya love the irony? haha Actually the name is supposed to mean I don't like clad coinage....don't have a single one in my collection

Sylvestius

Ah i see, cladiator as in Terminator, rather than as in Gladiator. The latter sounds like you're actively trying to defend it!

Cladiator

<< <i>Early 20th century half sovereigns roughly $65-$80 (between size of dime and nickel) >>



How do you tell the difference between British and Australian Half Sovs? The look totally the same to me. Also, what do all the words on the obverse mean...the only one I can decipher is Edward?

Sylvestius

Look on the reverse where St.George is, if you look between the middle two numbers on the date, straight up until you come to the ground, if there is no letter there then it is a London mint one.

If the letters, S, M or P are there then it's Australian mint British sov/half sov (they are British ones, there are other sovereigns which are specifically Australian but they have a wreath on the reverse with Australia written on them, i think).

The British half sovereigns though were for use throughout the Empire and they'd have St. George or a shield reverse if Pre-1887). And they were minted at;

No letter = London
S = Sydney
M = Melbourne
P = Perth

Other letters exist (SA = South Africa, I = India, C = Canada)


London mint ones are the most common.


The obverse depends, monarchs name are as thus;

Georgivs/Georgius (George) followed by their numbers; III (3rd), IV (4th), V (5th), VI (6th)

Edwardvs (Edward) followed by VII (7th)

Gulielmvs (William) followed by IV (4th)

Elizabeth II and Victoria are obvious.


D.G or Dei Gratia (By the Grace of God)

REG = Queen

REX = King

IMP = Emperor (Imperator) or Empress (Imperatrix)

Britt Omn = Of all the British [possessions]

F.D (Fidei Defensor) = Defendor of the faith.

IND = India


So from the top of my head EDWARDVS VII D.G BRITT OMN REX F.D IND IMP (Would mean Edward VII by the grace of God King of the British, defender of the faith and Emperor of India).

1jester

"...but my brain is not functioning properly the last few days." --syraq

Is this supposed to be a revelation?? How are you, Dimitri? We all fear for your sanity after your recent post confessing to losing interest in coins...

Makarovii

Russia 1902 5 Rouble MS 66 found for under $80.

CIVITAS

A meager selection:

http://www.civitasgalleries.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=World_Coins_AV