Expert: Brad Swain - 3/17/2010

Question
I have a 1902 gold coin witch reads (EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:) it is in excellent condition having been kept in a leather pouch as good luck for 4 generations. I found some like it on the net but mine has a P on the earth rather than nothing or a s like I've seen. Does it make it rare? what would be the value?

Answer
Hi Roger, this is a British gold Sovereign coin (1 Pound) if it is 22 millimeters across depicting King Edward VII (1901-10) as well as Benedetto Pistrucci's rendition of St. George slaying a dragon. The P mintmark letter below the horse indicates it was one of the 4.3 million minted in Perth, Australia. A Sovereign should weigh 7.988 grams and would contain .2354 of an ounce of gold. Value is likely a little over the gold value depending on wear and demand.
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.
Brad