Expert: Brad Swain - 4/10/2010

Question
hi, thanks for any help. it is a little bigger than a dime, a bit thicker, gold, dated 1913, roman with headpiece and cape, with sword, dragon under horse with wings...other side writing georgivs v D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP with a mans profile, he has short hair, short beard and mustache. thanks for any help. there are so many coins to look thru. Sissi Brackney

Answer
Hi Sissi, 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.
Brad