Expert: Brad Swain - 2/5/2010

Question
hello brad quick question for you. i have a gold georgivs coin head on one side guy on horse slaying dragon on other...i just need to know how much this is worth....so you know, it's not like any coin. it's set in a large gold necklace with rubies and diamonds. i dont want to take it to a jeweler because they are not honest. i figured since its still a coin you may have the answer. thank you very much

Answer
Hi Julie, this is likely a British gold Sovereign coin (1 Pound) if it is 22 millimeters across or a 1/2 Sovereign if 19 millimeters across, depicting King George V (1910-36) or King George VI (1936-52) as well as Benedetto Pistrucci's rendition of St. George slaying a dragon. There may be a mintmark letter below the horse's rear hoof indicating it was minted and used in one of the British colonies. A Sovereign should weigh 7.988 grams and would contain .2354 of an ounce of gold. A half Sovereign would be half of the two above weights. Value is likely a little over the gold value depending on wear and demand. Or, it is possible it is a replica made as jewelry.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
If a coin has been damaged by becoming part of the jewelry or cannot be separated from the jewelry without damage then its value lies in the piece of jewelry and not as a coin.
Brad