Is it worth having Sovereigns graded

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YQQ
YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum

have an 1895 in MS and 1/2 1915 in MS and a 1904 in MS.
OR are they destined for the big bucket now at the price of gold.
Thank you
H

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

Comments

  • Exbrit
    Exbrit Posts: 1,515 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2026 1:29PM
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    @YQQ It depends on the grade and rarity. highly graded sovereigns still carry a premium and people are buying them. If gold has a significant increase in value, those premiums will drop except for the rare ones.
    1895 full and 1915 half sovereigns are common so it’s all about condition. The 1904 half sovereign is common if London and rare if Perth.

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I say yes, merely for the fact they’re gold coins.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • Veep
    Veep Posts: 1,513 ✭✭✭✭
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    Most are not worth grading for monetary gain, but for other reasons, perhaps.

    "Let me tell ya Bud, you can buy junk anytime!"
  • Exbrit
    Exbrit Posts: 1,515 ✭✭✭✭
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    There you have it. One yes, one no and one it depends. Now all we need is a no opinion to round out the answer.

    What grade would you expect to receive if you sent them in and posting high resolution photos might help sway our opinions one way or the other.

  • The_Dinosaur_Man
    The_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Unless they are high MS, they will make nice album coins

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

  • Exbrit
    Exbrit Posts: 1,515 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 20, 2026 7:32AM
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    @The_Dinosaur_Man said:
    Unless they are high MS, they will make nice album coins

    I would define high MS as 66/67 and above. For non-proof sovereigns, MS 64-66/67 would be worth grading. The definition of high varies with series so your comment when considering the series is correct.

    MS 62 and 63s are also very collectible and often have a fairly high premium.

    I wonder how many circulated sovereigns are being melted during this run up in gold.

  • YQQ
    YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thank you all. I think/know I have my answer.
    They are all BV or slightly better. But for me, being in Canada, to send these to our host, is not smart moneywise.
    Would simply not be worth it. the 1895 would be about max MS62.. others high AU.
    Better economically to consider them as BV
    H

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • wybrit
    wybrit Posts: 6,999 ✭✭✭
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    There are a lot of counterfeit sovereigns out there. IMO that's the main (and perhaps only) reason to grade them.

    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • YQQ
    YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 23, 2026 7:45AM
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    these 1/2s and 1 sov. come from a very old cigar box...from a very old home from an even older lady. they were wrapped in plush soft pieces of material. the weights are dead on and the dimensions. at the time I purchased these, gold was "friendly".
    They have bin in her possession since childhood. to old for a chance of being fake.
    thank you all, they go for BV (except the 1895)
    H

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I was going to respond to this earlier and the subject dropped from the radar.

    Condition rarity is sort of tough with British gold. I do not see many sovereigns or half sovereigns that grade 65 and higher. One can check the PCGS and NGC pop reports for surviving pops by date. As an example, I doubt that a 1915 half sovereign is common in 65 and likely has a decent premium.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • YQQ
    YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    thank you all
    made my decision. not spending $ to have these graded.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life

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