I need an opinion on this gold coin

coinsarefun · September 29, 2008 9:06AM

What is your opinion on this coin. After a few comments I will post mine.

Stefanie

adamlaneus · September 29, 2008 9:14AM

Well, it looks pretty clean and free of hits in the fields. It also looks free of luster breaks in the fields. A mid to high MS?

I've never done well evaluating the surface of George's head. Is that rub or not? I've seen what I thought was rub before but it was not.

It's got a mintmark, so it is not from London. Can't tell which mark it is though.

One of the dragon's wings is very very weak. As if this is an old die and it has been mostly polished out.
In fact, there is a distinct lack of detail all over the reverse when I compare closely with another sovereign. Now, I wonder if this is a legitimate coin.
I hope someone who is more versed in these can chime in. I think i've seen a grand total of four of these in-hand, so I am not exactly qualified as an authenticity expert.

The 'dentils' on the obverse look unusual to me. Is it a style i've not seen? It's not like this at all:

Obviously, I am scared and uneasy about the unknown. Set me straight!

coinsarefun · September 29, 2008 9:52AM

Maybe a few more pictures are in order.

Stefanie

under magnification

adamlaneus · September 29, 2008 9:55AM

This is an uber rare matte proof or something like that, right? I'm stumped.

coinsarefun · September 29, 2008 10:06AM

<< <i>This is an uber rare matte proof or something like that, right? I'm stumped. >>

Oohhh how I wish

1 12591760 113525 1919-P Sov AUSTRALIA Not Genuine

MacCrimmon · September 29, 2008 10:07AM

counterfeit

DaveG · September 29, 2008 10:48AM

Soverigns were very frequently counterfeited.

It should have about the right amount of gold in it, though.

ColinCMR · September 29, 2008 10:52AM

How can you tell it's counterfeit/?

lordmarcovan · September 29, 2008 2:12PM

The matte surfaces do look weird, when viewed close up.

I'll admit that it probably wouldn't have rung any alarm bells right off with me, though. Or so I would imagine, not having seen the coin in hand.

From the first set of pictures, which probably roughly equates with a cursory glance at the coin in person, I wouldn't have been any wiser without a closer look.

BillyKingsley · September 29, 2008 2:34PM

I don't know anything about the coin, but those close-ups are fantastic. May I ask how you got them?

coinsarefun · September 29, 2008 2:57PM

<< <i>I don't know anything about the coin, but those close-ups are fantastic. May I ask how you got them? >>

I use the " Dinolite" camera/microscope

Stefanie

ajaan · September 29, 2008 9:13PM

My first thought was fake.

BCNumismatics · September 29, 2008 9:16PM

<< <i>What is your opinion on this coin. After a few comments I will post mine.

Stefanie

>>

Stefanie,
That's a very nice Australian coin.The 'P' mintmark is that of the Perth Mint,which still exists,albeit,owned by the Western Australian Government.

Aidan.

7Jaguars · September 29, 2008 9:23PM

The dimpling in miniature in the fields is NOT matte but marks of a transfer die in my opinion. Also the hair detail is just not right, old die or not. The one spot in the field you showed in the picture is raised as this is a defect in the die. You were nice enough to show the edge which does not have the sharp edge and milling that a genuine coin would have.

mnemtsas2 · September 30, 2008 6:33AM

I dont really know enough about Australian Sov's to be able to tell if that is a fake or not. However, I do know it's a common date/MM most available at bullion in lower grades and only a marginal premium in higher grades. I am a bit confused as to why someone would bother faking that year!

The coin certainly looks like my sovs (I dont have that year) and looks like the coin imaged here: http://www.goldsovereigns.co.uk/1919sovereign.html so I really dont know what's wrong with it!

zeebob · September 30, 2008 6:58AM

I think it's pretty! Is it gold?

BillyKingsley · October 1, 2008 10:04PM

Thank you Stefanie, I have to get me one of those...

I need an opinion on this gold coin

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