I would be grateful if someone could come up with a value of the attached gold coloured coin. It is dated 1791 and bears the head of George III.
Do you mean the current or the face value? It is the Half Guinea Pictures of Coins of the UK - Coins of George III
While you're waiting for your answer David ... heres some trivia !! It is often thought that the half-guinea is valued at ten shillings and sixpence, but in fact the value of the coin varied significantly between ten shillings and fifteen shillings, depending on the value of gold at the time. The word guinea stemmed from the origin of the gold used for some of the coins in the early days of their issue. Coins made from gold which originated in Guinea in Africa had an elephant and castle symbol on the obverse under the bust of the King. During the reign of George III the ornate shield originally used was changed to one in the shape of a pointed spade, thus the term spade-guinea (or strictly in this case, spade half-guinea).
An original seems to vary between £300 and £700 (evilbay prices) though that could have something to do with the gold content, as Annie is said
Interesting information Annie, thanks a lot. Kyt I truly believe my coin is a fake, the colour is not right for gold.
Can't find my damn reference book. OK from a bit of trawling a 1791 George III half guinea is worth: 110 (Fine) 240(Very Fine) 500(Extremely Fine) However that is a gold half guinea in near uncirculated condition. However I am wondering if it may be a very battered, possibly previously buried silver shilling. In which case its worth in good condition: 1787ish 15(Fine) 30(Very Fine) 80(Extremely Fine) Need my damn book for photo referencing. David can you have a look on the edge, give it a rub with your finger and see if the discolouration comes off as if it is silver?
I gave it a rub as Kitty suggested but nothing came off. I then gave it to my wife who has some chemicals for testing whether a metal is gold or not, it failed miserably and as my wife said it has no weight to it, so my original suspicions have been confirmed, it's a fake!
Hi Kyt, Curiosity forced me to open your Coins of George III. Did you notice that the heads were very varied, hardly any showing a likeness to one of the others. The last one, if it wasn't so long ago showing a definite sexual transformation. Cheers Keith
There were at least 6 'Heads' throughout George III's life time. This is the fifth head. David can your wife test for silver? If its quite a thin coin with no real weight I am inching towards a silver shilling. Looks very similar to the two Charles II shillings I have tucked away.
Kitty I would imagine she can test for silver, I will ask her. Like you I have stuff tucked away, I found an 1806 penny a couple of days ago. I have always been a pack rat and have a multitude of items in boxes and tins.
Can't move in most of my room now for boxes full of stuff I've bought over the last 15 years. Not even sure which particular box the coins are in.
