Hammered Gold decision

[jmpmam11 0]

Hi all, I'm deciding upon buying a hammered gold piece at the moment, but rather struggling to make a decision.

How would you grade these pieces, and, disregarding price, which do you think is the better buy?

http://www.baldwin.co.uk/coins/great-britain/great-britain-gold/james-i-laurel-mm-thistle.html?usrc=1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330872637332

Thanks,

James

[Coinery 1,260]

Hi all, I'm deciding upon buying a hammered gold piece at the moment, but rather struggling to make a decision.

How would you grade these pieces, and, disregarding price, which do you think is the better buy?

http://www.baldwin.co.uk/coins/great-britain/great-britain-gold/james-i-laurel-mm-thistle.html?usrc=1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330872637332

Thanks,

James

I'm no expert on gold coins, but it seems a clear choice for me on terms of grade! I can't imagine a much sharper pound! A really beautiful coin if it passes all the tests in hand!

[Colin88 55]

A tough call.....has the unite been cleaned or is that the light?.....Personally I would go for the laurel...just.

[jmpmam11 0]

I take it you mean the Unite, it does seem a lovely coin. I'm just slightly worried by the scrathces/blemishes on the obverse, and particularly the mount marks at 12 o clock. Would mount marks make the coin a poor choice for investment?

[Rob 3,242]

I take it you mean the Unite, it does seem a lovely coin. I'm just slightly worried by the scrathces/blemishes on the obverse, and particularly the mount marks at 12 o clock. Would mount marks make the coin a poor choice for investment?

Yes.

Personally, I think the laurel looks a bit washed out, but that might just be the image quality. The unite looks polished and has been mounted - i.e. much value has been destroyed unless it is the only example or miles better than the alternatives. And I forgot to mention the scratches on the unite.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Rob

[Coinery 1,260]

I take it you mean the Unite, it does seem a lovely coin. I'm just slightly worried by the scrathces/blemishes on the obverse, and particularly the mount marks at 12 o clock. Would mount marks make the coin a poor choice for investment?

Blimey, I can't pick those mount marks up, even on looking a second time, i must get on the PC tomorrow! The scratches barely touched my retina, such is the overall balance and grade of the coin. They certainly don't detract for me.

[Nicholas 51]

James

Neither. The laurel is softly struck and reasonably worn. The unite looks shiny through rubbing probably ex mount. As these are at first exciting to view, they are reasonably common and come up for auction regularly.

Keep looking! Would be my strong suggestion.

Look for an original coin, not cleaned, not too worn and a strong full portrait. Must be at least Good VF.

Unlike eBay, the established coin auction houses like spink, DNW, Baldwins, StJames, London coins will usually let you know about ex mount or some other problem and grade that you can trust without viewing in person. Good luck

[Nicholas 51]

James

Neither. The laurel is softly struck (worn or rusty dies) and bent. The unite looks a bit too shiny for a coin from the 1600's through rubbing probably ex mount. When you first see these large gold coins they can be exciting to view, however, over time you realise they are reasonably common and come up for auction regularly (really good ones (EF) not so regularly)

Keep looking! Would be my strong suggestion.

Look for an original coin, not cleaned, not too worn, not bent and a strong full portrait. Must be at least Good VF.

Unlike eBay, the established coin auction houses like spink, DNW, Baldwins, StJames, London coins will usually let you know about ex mount or some other problem and grade that you can trust without viewing in person. Good luck

[numismatist 2]

Unites especially seem to be well below half the price shown in the large

London Auctions. I would think the one shown is worth under £1000.00 being

mounted, polished and likely gilt as well. The Laurel has a washed out look,

and you should be able to find a superb one for far less than the price shown.

[Colin88 55]

I take it you mean the Unite, it does seem a lovely coin. I'm just slightly worried by the scrathces/blemishes on the obverse, and particularly the mount marks at 12 o clock. Would mount marks make the coin a poor choice for investment?

"I take it you mean the Unite"???....sorry, did you not understand it spelt "unite"....?

[jmpmam11 0]

I take it you mean the Unite, it does seem a lovely coin. I'm just slightly worried by the scrathces/blemishes on the obverse, and particularly the mount marks at 12 o clock. Would mount marks make the coin a poor choice for investment?

"I take it you mean the Unite"???....sorry, did you not understand it spelt "unite"....?

Apologies, I was refering to Coinery's post before yours but forgot to quote it. Thanks for the help anyway, looks like I should hang on for a while and see what else comes on the market. Another couple I'm condsidering, both supposedly gvf, are:

http://www.dnw.co.uk/coins/auctions/rostrumauctions/auctioncatalogue/lotdetail.lasso?auction=Coins+20+Mar+13&id=2260&lot=284

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHARLES-I-1629-30-UNITE-mm-HEART-TOWER-MINT-UNDER-KING-ELONGATED-BUST-GVF-/200793659205?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Edited March 13, 2013 by jmpmam11

[TomGoodheart 447]

Was it particularly a Unite or Laurel? How about this? Click on the photo for details. £2400

Edited March 13, 2013 by TomGoodheart

[jmpmam11 0]

Yes I saw that one earlier, quite an intersting history to it, I shall have to have a think about it.