Everything you need to know about precious coins

Sovereign coins - a real treasure for collectors or just a great investment? The FJewellery store specialists decided to investigate this issue and share their knowledge with you. So, let's start without long introductions!

A bit of history

It was the 15th century. Henry XII led England, and was a thrifty and far-sighted king - he significantly strengthened the country's budget, devastated by years of long wars. In October 1489, the first Tudor monarch gave special orders to his treasurers. The very next day, the Royal Mint created the first gold sovereign in the history of England. It depicted the king himself, seated on his throne. Hence the name "sovereign". The minting of these coins continued and after a while many models were already in circulation. Each monarch who ruled the country after Henry XII issued at least one such coin with his own image.

The nominal weight of the very first sovereign coins was exactly 15.55 grams, of which 15.47 grams were pure gold. According to the estimates of most experts, those same gold sovereigns in collectible form, to date, less than 1% left. This makes them a highly sought-after investment and the most desirable collection item for most connoisseurs.

Contemporary golden sovereigns began to mint only at the beginning of the 19th century and their weight changed. Now the gold content has become 7.32 g with a product weight of 7.98 grams. In addition, they began to be made not only in London, but also in other cities of the British Commonwealth. However, this only provoked collectors, and they began to hunt for the cherished coins with even greater zeal.

Well, now it has become much clearer where there is such an interest in these coins and what is so valuable about them. And for any jewel, as you know, you need proper care for the golden sovereigns as well. Otherwise, they will simply lose their presentation and drop significantly in price.

How to store golden sovereign coins

So, there are several ways to store coins:

• original containers,
• flips,
• collection albums.

The first option is the most ideal. If you buy a coin at the Mint or in a specialized store, it will be in a special sealed container. Firstly, it guarantees its authenticity, and secondly, it provides the highest level of protection against unwanted damage and deformations. Such samples are always sold with a certificate of authenticity and all this together significantly increases the value of such a coin.

Third-party appraisal companies also offer special containers, but the cost of their services is rather high, and they are rarely used.

Flips are special holders for collectible coins. They are made of vinyl or cardboard - they perfectly protect the product from all external unwanted elements and allow you to conveniently demonstrate and examine your treasures. Their size is standard - 2 by 2 inches. These flips are suitable for almost every golden sovereign. The most important thing is not to use these PVC pockets as they can easily damage the top coat of the coin.

For a large collection, a coin album would be the best option. They look like thick folders with a lot of transparent and dense sheets. These sheets have individual coin sections so you can always be sure that your entire precious collection is safe and in one place.

For additional protection, the collection of sovereign coins is best kept in a safe or in a safe deposit box. In addition, they are very sensitive to moisture and direct sunlight - therefore, the space for keeping them must be dark, well-ventilated and completely dry.

It's strictly forbidden to wash coins underwater or clean them, especially with the use of any cleaning agents! Any damage to its top layer will lead to the loss of the collectible look and to a decrease in its market value.

Curious fact

Some collectors are so fanatical about their golden sovereigns that they are not ready to part with them even for a minute. They order special mounts and wear their coins like pendants - on a chain around their necks.

Others go even further and make ring-shaped mountings into which gold coins are inserted. It turns out something like a signet ring. Such mounts are also made of gold, and their style and design can be completely different. Most often, they use the classic form with neutral patterns that complement the coin, but don't distract attention from it.

As you can imagine, such sovereign coins lose their attractiveness very quickly and are especially susceptible to various types of damage. However, it's all about your attitude: some collect such things for profit - they blow off specks of dust from them in order to sell them more profitably in the future. For others, this is love and passion - they are passionate about the process and are not ready to part with an important thing for them for any money.

For some, such coins are a real heirloom that has been kept in the family for many generations. Just imagine what kind of history such treasures can have, how many hands they have been in and how much they could tell us.

It was interesting? Want even more insightful facts and original articles? Then welcome to the FJewelery blog - a real treasure trove of unique stories, useful recommendations and practical advice. And if, after reading, you have an irresistible desire to buy yourself a new jewel at a nice price - immediately look into our catalogue, choose and place an order. It couldn't be easier!