Australian Sovereigns

[hAyyoUinAU]

This subject might have been touched on. But I thought I would ask as I could not see any definitive answers.

Is there a known amount of how many Sovereigns remain unaccounted for? Like the chances of finding them in certain states etc etc.

I would gather Victoria would be the best state to have any chance of digging one up.

Any input on the matter would be much appreciated.

 

[madtuna]

Nope, although there would be a definitive list of how many made, there would be thousands in private hands unaccounted for.
Any state populated in the 1800s would give you a fair chance.

While Ive never found a sovereign, I dug up a half sovereign at Sofala a bunch of years ago.

 

[silver]

Was gunna post.... but internet kept closing !
I wonder why ? ]
will edit in some stuff one at a time :Y:
1.Early gold coins
http://www.cruzis-coins.com/sovs/sov3.html
2.Adelaide Pound
https://www.australian-coins.com/blog/2009/06/australian-gold-coins-the-adelaide-pound.html
3.Gold Coins
http://www.finders.com.au/gold-pages/gold-coinage/
4. 52M in shrapnel
https://www.smh.com.au/national/52m-in-shrapnels-the-cost-of-change-20110625-1gkza.html
5.Melting coin (legal question)
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/threads/australian-coins-legal-advice-needed.3449/
6. Melting Copper (video)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=czhTzr71uGA
got there 1 bit at a time :Y:

 

[Trash]

Like many coins some of the sovs & 1/2 sovs had quite high mints

Certainly a holy grail & fascination for Detectorists

Amazing stories of where they have been found

First Aussie Sovereign minted in 1853 ?

As Steve mentions , 1850s bustling towns , mining towns , Gold Prospecting towns

I try & keep track of where they pop up .

Qld. Wise ..

There has been a few found

One of note , bloke bought a CTX , went to his local racecourse ( Richmond ) second coin was a half Sovereign ......

 

[Trash]

Perhaps a thread could be started for Sovereigns & 1/2 Sovereigns found by forum members ...?

Be good eye candy

 

[TheMediocritist]

Theres supposed to be a few thousand still hidden down Tarwin River somewhere.
http://www.oddhistory.com.au/gippsland/buried-treasures/

 

[kemjak57]

Theres supposed to be a few thousand still hidden down Tarwin River somewhere.
http://www.oddhistory.com.au/gippsland/buried-treasures/

That is interesting reading. There was shenanigans going on back in the day.

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

I know of and have access to one of QLD's first racehorse track. Maybe that might be a good place to start.
I figured it would be hard than finding a gold nugget, so would be a great thing to tick off the list.
Even a half would be just as good.

Maybe someone who has found a Sovereign or Half could start a Topic so others who have found could post as well.

I gather that in those days, they were used for their monetary value rather than their gold value.
What I am saying or asking is whether the Sovereign was worth more as a coin back then rather than gold value?
Where as the 1966 50cent coins seemed to get hoarded because they were worth more in metal value than monetary value.

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

Watch out Inverloch, tourism is about to increase. LOL

 

[Jaros]

Yes, very interesting. I'd never remember where I hid it!!

 

[Trash]

Some info. Here

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_(British_coin)

I think before 1930s a Sovereign was worth one pound

In Gold rush times Nuggets were often cashed in for Sovereigns , easier to carry around or hide ....!

 

[Syndyne]

Never found a Sovereign, but I'm sure it would make for a top old day out detecting. Just got to keep it in the back of the mind to be fairly careful using those picks to dig. I'd never forgive myself if I put the pick through a mint Gold Coin, let alone one minted with a rare date.

Each time we pass through the old gold towns and see the historic general/supplies stores that are still standing it never fails to get me wondering at what treasures may have been dropped or fallen between the floorboards or under the stairs back in the day. Coins, Nuggets, Jewelry and who knows what else just laying in the ground buried under a hundred and sixty-something years of time.

Ah well, we can dream I guess?

Bring on the Gold Sovereigns!
Cheers,
Shauno.

 

[Mackka]

Those old old stores on piers really intrigue me as I have seen some old banks with gappy floor boards that ,without a doubt, have had sovs dropped and are still there.
I just need permission to excavate under the old banks.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Mackka
Bigga and Binda come to mind

 

[Whisp]

In post #6 by the mediocritist the sovereigns stolen from the Avoca had a wreath design on them as a special request by the purchaser. That wreath design came out in 1871 a full six years before the order for the very specific design as alluded to. I have an 1884 Sydney Mint one in EF/UNC condition, that series ran from 1871 till 1887 all with the wreath design, nothing special about it.

 

[Trash]

In post #6 by the mediocritist the sovereigns stolen from the Avoca had a wreath design on them as a special request by the purchaser. That wreath design came out in 1871 a full six years before the order for the very specific design as alluded to. I have an 1884 Sydney Mint one in EF/UNC condition, that series ran from 1871 till 1887 all with the wreath design, nothing special about it.

In 2009 a lady Detecting in the Avoca area ( Vic. ) found 8 half Sovereigns , all Aust. Minted I believe ....

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

 

[Trash]

Those old old stores on piers really intrigue me as I have seen some old banks with gappy floor boards that ,without a doubt, have had sovs dropped and are still there.
I just need permission to excavate under the old banks.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Mackka
Bigga and Binda come to mind

Speaking of old floorboards ....

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act...ion-coin-worth-thousands-20171020-gz5hm0.html

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Here's a tale of a find a few years back,...

www.perthnow.com.au/news/qld/500000-worth-of-historic-gold-coins-dug-up-in-albany-ng-dc8b115985fca933b4898cf28dcb890e

Haven't followed it up myself, so it may have been bunkum if the coin dealer is on the money... or may have been a stolen stash trying to legitimize it?

Anyone in WA hear any more on this find?

 

[Detrack]

Hi all

To date I have found 8 Sov's using the E trac and the 3030 and all found in Victoria.

Cheers

 

[Mackka]

Good on ya mate