Expert: Joe Hylas - 8/13/2007

Question
QUESTION: I Have a gold coin that says Georgivs V D.G Britt: OMN:REX F.D. IND:IMP: on the front and shows a left facing head.
The back has a man on a horse and the date is 1892.

What kind of coin is this and value?

ANSWER: Hi,
Depending upon the size, it can be either a British Gold Sovereign (Nickel Size) or a Half Sovereign (Dime Size).
The Sovereign contains .2456 oz of pure gold, and the Half Sovereign, half that amount.
The value is only for the gold content.
The Sovereign is worth about $165 and a Half would be about $83
Regards
Joe Hylas

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Joe, Thanks for your prompt answer. However I have another question if you don't mind. I was doing a bit of online searching for this coin yesterday before I asked you what coin I had and from what I could find the coins that had similar dates as mine showed pictures of a queen on the front as opposed to King George as mine does. I can't seem to find my particular coin with the same 1892 matching date. Maybe you could provide a link for me to see this coin online if possible? Thank You.

Answer
OK,
I am looking at my catalogs and double checking dates, which I did not do before.
Geo. V is on sovereigns dated 1911 thru 1917 and again in 1925.
1892 would ahve had a veiled head of Queen Victoria.

Since sovereigns are common coins, I didn't even think about the date.  These trade as "kings", "queens", Elizabeth and New Elizabeth.
Clearly, George V was not in power in 1892 and would not be on a coin.
Yours may be a counterfeit, a poor one at that since the depiction is not even correct.
Take it to a local dealer who can determine if it is genuine, which I doubt based upon the info I have.
Sorry for any confusion.
Regards
Joe Hylas