Buying or selling gold coins is directly or indirectly a process for financial investment as well as aesthetic pleasure. Some coins attain hefty premium due to their rarity and quality. The worthiness of gold coin can be measured by the wear and tear and handling of the coin that is present on the coin. Rarity of the coin plays the most important role in increasing the valuation.
Original gold coins were minted as legal tenders by the country governments throughout the world. Before 1930’s when the governments were off the gold standards including United States, the production of gold coin was started. Though the gold coins are stated with the value on them, they cost more than the stated value as it contains real gold in it. Gold coins also convey history and arts; all the coins have its own historical values.
$20.00 Gold coin is of size about half dollar coin and weighs one ounce which is standard. It weighs more than the real $20 coin. There are some lesser denominations minted such as $1, $3, $5 and $10. Some foreign coins are also available that are very popular such as British Sovereign that weighs about quarter ounce gold and Franc that is one fifth ounce of gold.
Gold Sovereigns are the most popular amongst the series of gold coins in the world. It weighs about.2354 ounces of gold and size is about same as U.S. nickel. It is being minted since 1489 by the British and it was issued with the portrait of Henry VII. These coins were replaced by Unites and Guineas from 1604 to 1816 but came into existence again in 1817. This time it was issued with the portrait of George III. When United States won its independence George III was the King of England. The era from George III until the present age is considered as Modern Sovereign.
Gold Sovereigns always features the portrait of the ruling king or queen. The coins can be collected with a basic way by considering the monarch. The portraits of George III, George IV, George V, George VI, William IV, Victoria, Edward VII, and Elizabeth are commonly seen on the coins of modern sovereigns. No sovereigns were made with the portraits of Edward VIII as he was ruling King for less than a year.
A special sovereign was designed and made in 1989 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of gold coins. It has the impression of Queen Elizabeth II sitting on her throne. Many gold sovereigns have the reverse design of St George slaying the dragon. Collecting gold sovereigns with the reverse designs can be done easily as these coins do not cost much. There is a mark that indicates the country of manufacture of the sovereign. This mark is a small letter that is embossed beneath the portrait or on the reverse side of the coin such as ‘S’ stands for Sydney, ‘M’ for Melbourne, ‘C’ for Canada, ‘I’ for India, ‘SA’ for South Africa. If a coin is without any mint mark then it states that it is manufactured in London. Since 1932 all the sovereigns are manufactured in London.
Collecting these gold sovereigns by the dates is a very ambitious way to make a collection. There are only multiple gaps during reigns of George V, George VI and Elizabeth II. The coins that are much older are more expensive. Buying the sovereigns every year can be very expensive. Some coins are so rare that they may prove impossible to be bought at any cost. Buying and selling of these coins can be done through internet, make sure you consult some coin books or internet to determine the actual pricing of them. Knowledge of current price can prove helpful to know the rise and fall in the rates. Make sure you are dealing with the right person and reputed seller and ensure all the handling and shipments.
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