Coin Book Reviews

Authors: James Mackay, Daniel Fearon and Brian Reeds
Publisher: Hilden Publications

An excellent book, and one which all collectors of gold sovereigns will wish to own.
There is an existing book about the gold sovereign, which is in its second edition, and which has been a valuable resource for collectors and dealers. This new book is the most complete work about sovereigns we have seen. It combines an interesting history of gold sovereigns starting even before the very first sovereigns of Henry VII, through to the present day, with a comprehensive price guide to modern sovereigns from 1817 to date.

Contents
The chapter headings give a clear guide as to the contents:

• Introduction
• The First Sovereigns
  Mentions the first coins of King Croesus, and explains the history of English coinage leading to the development of the gold sovereign by Henry VII.
• The Sovereign Since 1817
  Illustrates and describes the design and production of sovereign during their golden age. All aspects appear to be covered including notes on the designs, engravers, dies, forgeries, sovereign balances (weighing scales), coining presses and more.
• The Branch Mints
  Tells the story of the branch mints in Sydney Melbourne and Perth, Australia; Ottawa in Canada; Bombay in India and Pretoria in South Africa, with contemporary photographs.
• The Role of the Sovereign
  Discusses the primary purpose of the sovereign and explains the "Gold Standard", mentions sunken treasure, an interesting case of "legal" counterfeiting, the modern gold market, the revival of gold coinage, the Exchange Control Act and the Exchange Control Order.
• The Sovereign Price Guide
  Contains advice for collectors, a grading guide, and a very comprehensive price guide giving prices in up to ten different grades for all sovereign from 1817 to date.
• Further Reading
  

80 Pages.
Well illustrated.
Availability: Ask

We can supply this book by mail order.
Postage and packing £2 in UK.

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Recommendation
We would thoroughly recommend this book for all collectors of sovereigns, but also for those with only one sovereign or even none. More than a reference work, this book is an enjoyable read.
Would make an ideal gift.

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