Jewellery mounts?

[Nightvision]

Hello all.

I've been digging through the attic again and have come across a beautiful 1787 George III sixpence in extremely fine condition, possibly uncirculated. It's bright on the reverse with a patina on the obverse. However, it has been made into a badge, with a simple pin/hook fixing soldered to the obverse in two areas.

It seems I'm going to be one of those coin collectors who go for superficial appearance rather than intrinsic value, I am severely tempted to get a jeweller to remove the fixing as it's a beautiful coin, but I'm guessing this would be a bad thing to do?

Assuming that the clasp was put on around the time of circulation, I reckon if I did get the solder removed it would leave two pale spots in the patina, which would not be desirable. This seemed like a good time to at least ask what the thinking is on coins that are mounted as jewellery. Do the same rules follow as for cleaning, ie Don't do it?

[Chris Perkins]

It doesn't really matter. With the mount it's an item of jewellery and without it, it's a coin which is ex mount (but you can put it in a coin holder!). Both the mount and the remaining signs of a mount are generally bad things. 1787 is probably the most common Geo III pre new coinage sixpence, so count your blessings that it's not a Northumberland shilling!

[scottishmoney]

Ex mount looks a bit more attractive to most if it is done professionally and not haphazardly but the coin will not have any increase in value as a result. So I canna tell you not to have it performed, but do recommend getting someone that knows what they are doing first.

[Nightvision]

Thanks very much I'll mull this one over, would your average high street Jeweller be able to remove the mount? I should mention here that I appear to be the sole numismatist in my small town (not a bad thing because it means I get first refusal on any treasures I find in the junk shops) so expert opinion is thin on the ground.