Why Did They Do This To The Gold Sovereign?

Thanks for watching, looking forwards to chatting in the comments.
Would you like a free 1 oz Silver Britannia on your next gold order?
www.bullionbypost.co.uk/accounts/login/?referral_code=NS5DZ7WX
Currently Bullion By Post have a referral offer if you sign up through my link and make a qualifying order as a new customer. Alternatively use code 'NS5DZ7WX' when you're signing up to the website in the 'how you heard about us' section.
Discount code £10 off at www.thegoldbullion.co.uk
"0A319" Even works on their competitively priced best value sovereigns
Multi Use Capsules with foam insert
amzn.to/3Fo3x6w
The Gold Sovereign Series - Marsh (Fantastic resource for sovereigns)
amzn.to/3m6GSEq
Coins of England - Spink (A lot of info for sovereigns but also other British coinage)
amzn.to/3Sthg0w
Sigma Precious Metals Verifier I use
UK ebay.us/uBTpot OR ebay.us/zGLAnw. I don't know either of these sellers personally.
For the USA I found this seller ebay.us/5OW7vF
22.5mm Capsules (Sovereign, 0.25 oz Britannia etc)
amzn.to/3gEOzyI
Coin Tube (Sovs and 0.25 oz inside capsules)
amzn.to/3DiJWCf
2 oz Queen's and Tudor Beast Silver Coin Capsule
amzn.to/3gOR69L
39mm Coin Capsules (1 oz Silver Britannia recent years etc)
amzn.to/3SDxT8h
33mm Coin Capsules (Gold 1oz Britannia recent years)
amzn.to/3sDm3An
Digital Measuring Caliper
amzn.to/3NcryPU
Digital Scales (small)
amzn.to/3TIesfD
Leather £1 Coin Holder (The blue and red ones I have in the videos, note I don't store coins in these long term they're more for show in the video but haven't done any damage)
amzn.to/3znKtSl
This video should not be taken as financial advice and is for entertainment only
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on some of the above links.

[@sinesaii]

The old sovereigns were pickled in acid. This leeched the copper out of the surface of the blank, so when it was stamped, the surface looks gold. The new ones are no longer pickled, so they look Rosie. The Roman’s used to do this with their silver coins, so 20% silver looked totally silver.

[@SovereignSaurus]

I've never heard this before. Thanks for sharing 👌🏽

[@phobos1826]

What kind of acid? Asking for a friend xD

[@shreddit-xn4dp]

@@phobos1826😅

[@masonjc8597]

I think they made the colour like that in the modern sovereigns as so to not rival sales of the Britannia, especially the quarter ounce coins as it is a similar price point. Wish they would just make them the same colour as per the the 1950s

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yes possibly. As the saying goes... If it isn't broken, don't fix it haha

[@solachesis451]

It makes me sad, I don't have a lot to spend on gold, so sovereigns are a sweet spot for price and size, and I really hate the new colour. I showed a picture of my silver stack with my 2022 sov in it, and someone asked what it was, I said it's a sovereign, and they said "it's gold?" I'd buy a new modern one every year if they still looked like gold, now I will just get special years + oldies

[@SovereignSaurus]

It definitely doesn't look how I'd imagine gold and probably for many others too. Good call

[@greekstacker]

I really can't understand why the RM is sticking with this pink - copper gold. Nice video.

[@SovereignSaurus]

No me neither

[@CashAndCoinsYT]

Nice Comparison and history about the sovereigns. Always enjoy and appreciate your information. Thank you Sir.

[@SovereignSaurus]

No worries thanks for dropping in 👌🏽

[@lamarravery4094]

I like the color of the older gold sovereigns better. I liked that soft yellow gold color.

[@SovereignSaurus]

You ard me both 👍🏼

[@GR19611]

So this problem would be similar to currency devaluation , eg clipping coins in roman times or modern inflation? (reduced silver content) .Thankyou so much for this great video , i was wondering about colour changes and when it started . You camera is so clear and shows the difference very well. Saturday morning were i am and now i want to explore for sovereigns lol.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Possibly it is like clipping although we're talking a 7.98g coin with 7.32g of gold so .66g of silver even if they used no copper in the alloy if it was half and half with copper .33g so about 15 pence of silver. When I was researching XRF scans of sovs the amount to make them a nice yellow colour was even less so we're talking pennies worth of silver

[@harryzero1566]

​@@SovereignSaurus interesting metal alloy analysis, you would think for a SOVEREIGN coin, consistency would be paramount. You wouldn't believe how irritating I find ill matching coloured gold items annoy me when placed side by side. I can understand why the Gillicks have become more desirable, that uplifted young chin, showing off an elegant neckline more than compensates for HM's lack of crown. Once I've filled my date gaps I will focus on regaining all those George and 1958, 1959, 1965, 1966 Gillicks that I have inadvisable allowed to slip through my fingers.

[@TheSilverState]

Thank you so much for making a video addressing this subject. I've seen the pictures of the new sovereigns and they look almost "rose gold" color and I didn't know if that was what they really look like in person. I really like that 2002 and the shield Sovereigns - and they have a true gold color. I might buy a 2022 just because it is a "special year" like you said but I much prefer the older ones.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Glad you enjoyed it. I think the RM website looks more pink than real life but like you say definitely not gold gold

[@CyberCurtainTwitcher]

There certainly seems to be a variety of colours, as I've seen with my own collection of sovereigns. As you know, I'm not a fan of coppery looking sovereigns.

[@NGRevenant]

I don't like the luster of the modern ones either they're far too shiny, old sovs look more like your classic gold coin

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yes I'm with you on the copper 🤣

[@CyberCurtainTwitcher]

@@NGRevenant yes, they have more of a proof like finish.

[@butch907]

Excellent info

[@SovereignSaurus]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ddyukon6369]

Good video on sovereigns of old to new. thanks

[@SovereignSaurus]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ddyukon6369]

@@SovereignSaurus Do you have many lcs or you do online shopping.

[@jamiefrost2091]

Mr. Saurus, what are you doing to me? This video Touched ever button, thankyou 🙆‍♂️ Sovereigns are works of art! I especially like the young Vickies. My mother left one to me when she passed 🥲, that’s what got me in to PMs. But, I’m on the fence about the ‘Australia’ sovs, (of course, I have S, M and P mint marks) but having ‘sovereign’ minted on the coin doesn’t do it for me:-sorry for offending any body🙏🙏

[@SovereignSaurus]

Haha I quite like my stray Australia sov from 160 years ago but don't like the modern proof versions. Can't go wrong with the young Vickies like you say

[@robertoperezcatalan3043]

Hola amigo buenos días Felicidades por tan bonita monedas gracias por compartirlas un abrazo buenos días👏👏👌🏼👌🏼😊☘👍

[@SovereignSaurus]

Hola amigo. Gracias

[@philippayne4951]

Concerning older sovereigns, colour all depended on what alloy the mint received. The 1866 Sydney mint sovereign for example did have silver used for alloy, which made them very yellow. All genuine gold sovereigns and half sovereigns are checked by essay office regularly. However some Kruger Rand's were found to substanderd Mosley 20211. But this has now been corrected, and if anyone has these, the south African mint will change them.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thanks for the input. I've been researching more about the alloys recently though some details are not necessarily published there's quite a few resources around

[@philippayne4951]

@@SovereignSaurus All of this was also with half sovereigns. I have four 1911 half sovereigns, one is very coppery in colour, one is slightly of copper colour, one is very dull muddy colour, and the other is very very yellow in colour. They all are all 22ct gold,, however I think the mint mixed some silver with copper for the alloy on some, and it all depended on what alloy the mint had at the mint. I have noticed this over many years, and the same also I noticed is also on pre 1933 American gold coinage.

[@sang3Eta]

I don't like the copper soverigns 22ct looks much better mixed with silver IMO. The reason they used 22ct is because it's harder and stands up to circulation wear and tear better.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yes good point regarding circulation. I guess at that time a lot of world gold was 90% too so being 22ct was a higher purity for the time.

[@phobos1826]

Along with this, another issue I have with new sovs is that they have a shiny finish so scratches are much more visible.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yes and finger prints etc unfortunately

[@ronaldhall9701]

I am with you on this lately in America 🇺🇸 I been seeing quarter overseas beasts and brits at near same prices its a bit of a head scratcher for me I like value but I do like the random sovereigns but here lately can pick up new four 9s fine for around 20 more dollars and you get a full qt Oz so a bit of decision to make. I can't afford to buy all the time I have to save it up

[@SovereignSaurus]

If I can pick up some semi premium coins like the beasts at the same price (or maybe slightly more) as basic bullion I usually will. My basic plan is to stick to sovs or British 1 Oz and quarter Oz coins unless there's a real bargain then I might pick up something different

[@ronaldhall9701]

@@SovereignSaurus that's what I do but have been getting a good bit of silver

[@gsnabors]

Where do people buy high grade older sovereigns? I only run across circulated examples for Victorias.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Mostly from dealers, maybe some buy from the 2nd hand market too just keep your wits about you there

[@CashAndCoinsYT]

I have a 1965 Sov. how or where do I find information as to what dates are the best? So that I might keep an eye out for them. Thank you Sir.

[@SovereignSaurus]

If you search sovereign mintages Bullion by Post have a handy table that shows the mintages and info on various portraits and mints. There are some books like 'Coins of England' that I've got too. There is a dedicated sovereign book authored by a Marsh.

[@CashAndCoinsYT]

@@SovereignSaurus Excellent information. Thank you.

[@jeremiah1059]

New subscriber from Virginia USA here. I found your channel after I have been seriously considering stacking sovereigns. I have a couple questions if you don't mind. I just love the history and the feel of the older European coins so I guess I'm wondering if sovereigns are a good idea for Americans to collect? If so, where would you recommend getting them from. I've checked out BBP already and they seem to be the only English company willing to ship across the pond without much to do. I have already been purchasing the quarter ounce gold Tudor Beasts from SD bullion and I like them and the Britannias as well. Thanks for making the informative content and I look forward to your opinion on this matter. Have a great rest of your day.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thanks for dropping by. It sounds like local coin stores (LCS) are much more common in the US than over in the UK. If you have any near to your location I'd say it's worth paying them a visit. It's worth stacking the gold that you can A, get at a competitive premium and B, sell relatively easily when the time might come. The 1 Oz buffalo would probably be my first choice in USA or eagles would probably be my first choice for the smaller size like quarter Oz. As long as you're not over paying for sovs you should still be able to do ok with a few of them. If you end up with 100s though your LCS might find it difficult to shift them compared to eagles. Worth either calling in or ringing around

[@jeremiah1059]

@@SovereignSaurus thank you for the insight. My only issue with the Eagles right now is the insane premiums. I've purchased 2 Tudor Beasts quarter ounces this month and paid $460 and $463 respectively however, I can't get a quarter ounce gold eagle for less than $540+/-. It's crazy and nobody seems to be able to give me a good reason for it. But thanks again for the speedy response and keep up the great work.

[@SovereignSaurus]

@@jeremiah1059 Wow, yeah I wouldn't pay so much more for an eagle if it were me

[@shauncorless8965]

I can say buy as many as you can , especially shield backs ,a friend of mine was at the new York coin show and from all the dealers there ,only 6 sovereign ,s were for sale , although only bullion coins they went for a lot more ,,I've been collecting them for over 40yrs ,, including half sovereign ,s ,good luck finding them in USA 🤔

[@jeremiah1059]

@@shauncorless8965 does that mean that they are hard to find in America or there isn't much of a market for them over here?

[@sergionotarpippo7660]

Old head and young head for me 💯 love them need four old heads to finish my collection 👍

[@SovereignSaurus]

Fantastic that's getting pretty close then. I think if I could choose any and price or condition were the same I'd take the youngheads

[@sergionotarpippo7660]

I need 1894 .95. 96 1900. Then I need jubilee head 1888 to 1893 then young heads its going to be hard but at the moment old heads first love your videos help me a lot 💯👍

[@coincollectingfun]

Big like number 72 and subscribed! Excellent video and thank you so much for sharing!

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thanks and welcome. Got some cool stuff to come soon too 😁

[@vytautasvaicys8745]

The color is not the alloy - but rather the surface finish. Proof 22k tends to appears more yellow and "golden" and the new machine made frosty burnished finishes are more orange. It's not the alloy. Is the way the surface reflects the light. Krugerrands and Eagles have the same effect with proof coins being incomparably more beautiful than the circulating bullion ones.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thank you that makes sense yes

[@manuelarita6801]

Quite so. Of course.

[@doctoruttley]

Good video. Could you please make a point of showing both sides of a coin when you show it. Thanks 👍🏻

[@SovereignSaurus]

Good point thanks I'll definitely be conscious of that

[@andrewchia1996]

Does anyone know which issue year did sovereigns start to look coppery? I'm slowly stacking sovereigns here and am strictly avoiding coppery looking ones.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Up until 1932 (end of George V) you're 'safe' The Gillicks between 1957 and 1968 are perhaps not too bad either. The Machin portrait (QEII second portrait) look a little different but post 2000 are really coppery

[@andrewchia1996]

@@SovereignSaurus wow, thanks for the info!

[@dr.omar.insights2000]

I am sorry ,what word did you use to describe Elizabeth first portrait coins? A word that sounds like giliks??!!

[@SovereignSaurus]

Hey. Yes Gillick is the word. After Mary Gillick who was the artist who designed this portrait of the queen 👍🏼

[@365DaysofSilver]

where is the best place in your experience to get best value sovs?

[@SovereignSaurus]

It depends... If you've a local coin dealer that's well priced you might be able to pick and choose the nicest coins and see what you're getting first. If not then online dealer wise it depends on stock and prices. Some of my better ones have come from Bullion by Post who have consistently given a great service, I had nice Gillicks and Victoria's. I haven't had bad coins from other dealers though just none too exciting, some dealers are a bit quicker delivering than others too. It can be luck of the draw really what you'll get though that's why it's cheap 😁

[@365DaysofSilver]

@@SovereignSaurus thanks for the detailed reply mate. I will have to try bullion by post and see what I get!

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Atkinsons

[@thunderflashmartin]

I like the 20 franc roosters and the 40 franc napoleons

[@SovereignSaurus]

Nice options those. I've never owned a rooster yet but did have a couple of Swiss 20fr.

[@tridentstacking]

I like the look of 22 carrot or 18 carrot Vs 999 gold. The color is just more appealing to me.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Something for everyone at least in those sovs 😁

[@ClashixTV]

Carrots 😂 what’s up dack 🐇

[@troyfinley8500]

They add the copper to make it more durable, it's still the same amount of gold. Don't worry about it ! Just keep buying it. The americian eagle also adds copper. They are 92.6 % gold. But still a full Troy ounce of gold

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yep the gold content is still there

[@anonymousAJ]

Eagles are gold with a little silver and copper - not the deep yellow of a pure gold coin but close, and noticeably more yellow than a copper/gold coin like Krugerrand or modern Sov

[@kaynefryday6637]

They had rose gold ones when I went to the Perth mint , they don’t look good

[@SovereignSaurus]

Agreed

[@AY-qf4pg]

That's a Sydney Mint type II sovereign!

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thank you I thought it was but didn't want to say the wrong one 🤣 my memory escaped me for a moment

[@adp3965]

The new double sovereign is depressingly underwhelming next to a 1oz Britannia. They look like a new 2p whereas, the Britannia is stunning.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yeah I do prefer the 1 oz coins to larger sovs too, if money were no option I'd happily collect the 5 sov pieces to show the various designs but I'd rather just buy multiple bullion sovs or 1 oz gold coins for bigger pieces

[@adamsan7494]

Everything's on hold for the proof Clll release for me.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yes I'm sure a lot in the same boat. I'll probably see if I can get a proof sov at least

[@danloosmore8099]

What is a 'gillic' sovereign, or however you spell it?

[@SovereignSaurus]

Hi. Gillick, it's the surname of the sculptor/artist that designed this first portrait of the queen 👍🏼

[@transientstacker4310]

So many sovereigns. What the story with the gap where they weren’t minting them before 1957?

[@SovereignSaurus]

I read that they were brought back by popular demand. It's something I intend to research more thoroughly though for an upcoming video 👌🏽

[@albertboulderwardthe3rd590]

Prefer modern Sov's to old one's but that's just me.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Nice. There are a few big advantages of the recent years, you shouldn't go far wrong stacking them

[@mynamesnotdave695]

I've never liked Rose Gold or Sovereigns since they've been this colour... Reminds me of cheap Chinese kettles... I'd prefer it if Gold reminded me of something more!!!!

[@SovereignSaurus]

Haha yes I know the kettles you mean

[@lamarravery4094]

Rose gold does look cheap, it's really not a yellow gold color any longer. People won't know it's gold, lol.

[@andrewsmith5230]

There is some 💰 on that table

[@SovereignSaurus]

Real money 👌🏽

[@UncalBertExcretes]

Shame they substituted the silver for copper, although nowerdays copper is quite valuable its never going to be considered a precious metal like silver.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yeah I'm not seeing copper passing silver or gold any time soon

[@undercovercameras]

wonder what it was like using a Sov to buy something back in the day don't think you would break into one in a public house most shop would never be able to find the change if you. only spent a shilling or something as. a Sov was a fortune

[@SovereignSaurus]

Yeah I imagine you might be buying land or property for a few sovs perhaps. Even a crown would have been a chunk of change for many people I'm sure. A lot of inflation has happened since then

[@undercovercameras]

@@SovereignSaurus I'm almost 70 and remember my grandad who died in 1963 telling me of the days a man worked all week for 5 shillings a week he was 89 when he died so a sovereign was 4 weeks wages for some back in his day . that must mean most workers were never able to save or even own a pound in all there life . I could go on but think I made my point

[@des_smith7658]

A sovereign was twenty shillings

[@SovereignSaurus]

@@undercovercameras And now you would struggle to even get a warm drink for £1 if you were out and about

[@undercovercameras]

@@SovereignSaurus And you only have to listen to the old Jack the Ripper story's the lady's of the night having to find 4d for a night in a doss house or a few penny's if they were Lucy enough to buy a drink doubt they ever seen a sovereign unless they stole it and they would have ended up on the end of a rope I caught ..

[@melvynplantmusic]

May be harder to fake the new colour, just a thought.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Possibly. Although coins are easy to test it's an angle I hadn't considered

[@kurtsteiner8384]

I suspect the gold in the metal has been mixed with someting thus its not pure golld anymore like in passed years.

[@SovereignSaurus]

There are variations in the levels of silver in the alloy I believe

[@ordakiller]

Do you sell sovereigns worldwide?

[@SovereignSaurus]

I'm not a dealer I just collect for myself 👍🏼

[@ordakiller]

Thanks, I was hoping you sell too, because that shields haunt me:) it is impossible to find in good quality even one over here😃

[@philipsmedia5268]

999.9 is not "just" gold, its 24ct and the Tudor Beast series are not sovereigns.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Hey thanks for dropping by

[@giridharnatarajan842]

Elizabeth the coppery queen.

[@SovereignSaurus]

It would be nice to see the modern sovs in the same alloy as the older ones

[@aussiegirl6738]

In Australia and we have to pay GST on them but love them anyway 🥰 just starting

[@SovereignSaurus]

That's a shame. Does that apply to buying 2nd hand too? The Perth mint puts out some stunning coins too

[@aussiegirl6738]

@@SovereignSaurus sadly yes, when they changed legislation back when I was in the government it was taxed at first point of sale only then they changed it to GST also now it’s at every sale, it used to be the first and didn’t affect then secondary market now it affects it if you sell the same item 100 times it attracts GST each time it changes hands through dealers or business

[@SovereignSaurus]

@@aussiegirl6738 Ohhh that's nasty

[@aussiegirl6738]

@@SovereignSaurus completely agree. I preferred it once at original point of sale and never secondary items, seems like too much cream is being had, but it is what it is

[@alexblue6991]

The new coins look fake

[@SovereignSaurus]

I think many prefer the older ones

[@anthonyreddy6246]

The new sovs are like Megsie, they look a bit tacky & cheap.

[@SovereignSaurus]

Going by the comments I read people prefer the older ones assuming the condition is good

[@anthonyreddy6246]

@@SovereignSaurus QE II sovereigns are today, where QV sovereigns were 120 years ago. The collectability/price of QE IIs have already made a marked increase.

[@SovereignSaurus]

@@anthonyreddy6246 Yes good point

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Boohoo I like um it's very Coin like

[@SovereignSaurus]

Definitely very coin like

[@fenixfp40]

That was a total waste of time. All you’ve done is shown different colours. No explanation as to why they are different.👎

[@SovereignSaurus]

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully next time is a better match to your expectations 👎🏼