Hey everyone, I was watching a video by the Australian YouTube channel “BullionNow” and they were talking about how sometimes the “Jeweler’s Copy” (copies) of the gold British sovereigns contain slightly more gold than the regular ones. But what exactly is a “Jeweler’s Copy”? The name makes it sound obvious: “Duh it’s a coin made by jewelers!” But why would jewelers be making coins in the first place? Wouldn’t that job fall on the British Royal Mint? Thanks
Hi Blake, Did you check out the 1916 SLQ reverse you asked me to post? RE: Jeweler's Copy Not sure if this is germane but the Mexican mint has minted quite a few 2 & 2-1/2 peso gold bullion coins primarily to be used to make gold bracelets, cuff links, etc. These are usually 1945 or 1947 restrikes, as is the less minted larger 1947 Gold 50 peso piece. Cheers, J.T.
I thought that in the Middle East jewellers sold gold bullion as well as jewellery and fake/jeweller's copy coins were how the bullion was generally sold.
I believe there are two areas covered by the term "jeweller's copy" at the moment: 1. The term was originally used to refer to the loose interpretation of coins made to incorporate into rings, pendants, bracelets etc. These are usually fairly obvious and can be made in any metal from base up to the correct level of gold. (I cannot think that anyone would bother making them of a higher grade of gold than the original coin!) 2. The Middle Eastern replica coins are now sometimes also called jewellers copies. These were made after the original host country stopped issuing gold coins to satisfy the demand for gold bullion in coin format. These are usually at or just below the original gold content (eg sovereigns in 21 carat instead of 22 carat). Some of these are difficult to differentiate except when they make an error - for example an unusual date or mint mark. Note also Jeweller's copies are made of many of the scarcer medals to avoid the recipient wearing the original in a public place where it might be lost or stolen.
