Coin and Paper Money Collecting/george v gold coin

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Expert: Brad Swain - 3/23/2010


Question

george v gold coin
Hi,
I have a george v gold coin 1981 that has been set in 22crt as a pendent. Is it possible to give me a value.
Helen

Answer
Hi Helen, King George V reigned 1910-36 so a genuine coin wouldn't be dated 1981.
This is a British gold Sovereign coin (1 Pound) if it is 22 millimeters across or a 1/2 Sovereign if 19 millimeters across, depicting Queen Victoria (1837-1901) 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.
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

Brad Swain

Expertise

I have been a World Coin and Paper Money collector since about 1965. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have on World coins or currency, tokens, unusual or unknown pieces and attempt to give you estimates of value and historical information about them in a polite and prompt manner.

Experience

45 years collecting coins and paper money.

Education/Credentials
BA History, BA Geography - Virginia Tech

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