davevt

Hi, I agree, poor quality 22k coin = financial loss to the forger. The fact that where is no logic to it would lull people into thinking it would not be done. However this was done in the 1950s when a 22k fake Sovereign could be sold for 3 or 4 times the gold value. Here an old a quote from another forum. Posted by PandAu The part that really interested me was the fact that in 1952 the £1 sovereign was worth £2-18-0 in gold content yet sold on continental markets from between £4 and £10. (Which gave the reason for forgery) However, why did they comand such a high premium. The only reason I can think is that the people did not trust the paper money that was being thrust on everyone. BUT, the difference was probably (also) about the quoted price of gold compared with the true price of gold. Just like today, gold going up in price reflects the devaluation of the paper money............ The paper price of gold is held down. I told the seller the coins were gold but counterfeit.He said no as major coin dealer in town had offered him just below spot for them.He also told me he brought a few with him from Dubai where the shop had 100 of them all the same.I told him I had not stopped laughing. Think about it, 100 1918 Sydney Sovereigns for sale. Now that is a collection. Dave

Hi, New guy again with better photos. Thanks for the opinions that were relevant. Getting the light to shine evenly on both coins is not easy. The following is my opinion. Please let me know if I am misinterpreting the signs. I think a worn Sovereign was used to produce many identical counterfeit copies. Existing scratches on the worn Sovereign will appear on all copies. Handling of the copies then added some new surfaces marks making them look common circulated coins. Check these marks, Two marks to right of sword tip. Mark between sword and tail. Mark on top of riders thigh. Mark on horses belly above Dragon wing tip. No marks on Dragon or in field or edge. These two coins were bought from same seller who has more. Separately the coins look great but together they look fake. Weight is correct. Size is correct. I therefore believe they are 22k gold counterfeits of Sovereigns. Passing a test with a Victorian Sovereign scale or a Ficsh does not mean you have a genuine Sovereign, only something the correct size and weight and likely 22k gold. Dave

I need better photos.Both coins have good eye appeal and are clean and bright.Both fields are very clean,edges and rims unmarked.St George and the Dragon are worn down to around an F grade,King George also worn.Weight and size are perfect.Ring testing by dropping coins produces a poor ring,not good or bad.If I only had one coin I would be happy with it but as there are two I compared the two together.Ten small marks,dings that I found on one side were also on the second coin.The coins seem to be clones of each other.Could dies be so marked or damaged that they transfer defects the coins. The seller of the two coins has two more same date 1918S.Dave

Hi,New guy here.I collect Sovereigns and just bought these two 1918S Sovereigns as a lot. I can give more details after I get a few opinions. Dave