The 1835 William IV gold full sovereign

A rare gold coin discovered in Yoxall is being sold at auction in Lichfield.

The 1835 William IV gold full sovereign had been encased in a glass mount and its owner considered it little more than a curious trinket.

The 1835 William IV gold full sovereign
The 1835 William IV gold full sovereign

It was among a number he took to one of Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ valuation days at The Lichfield Auction Centre in Fradley, where expert Phil Bridge revealed it was actually worth around £1,200.

Mr Bridge said: “Not only is it a full gold sovereign, it is low mintage – only 723,000 were made.

“It was mounted in between glass which was so scratched it was impossible to see the condition.

“With further investigation, we discovered the coin is in beautiful condition – after all, it’s been protected by the glass for years.”

It will join other rare items in the coins, medals and militaria sale taking place from noon on 22nd January.

Valuer Nick Thompson said: “There is a vast number of fine and collectable medal groups including World War 1 casualty memorial plaques and some World War 2 casualty groups for the D-Day invasion.

“Also up for auction are several family-related medals – brothers, father and son, etc.

“One of the finest groups is a World War 2 and Korean War group of medals belonging to a Royal Marine from Caldmore, Walsall, who saw action in both wars, together with a large archive of photographs and ephemera.”