Half-Sovereign Archives | Chancery Collection

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Chancery Collection Introduce Our Range of Half Sovereign Coins

We have a wide range of selections of half crown coins form various years. Be sure to check out our Coin Grading guide for information on grading. If you have any questions, please do feel free to reach out to us.

Half Sovereign Coin

The Half Sovereign is a gold coin that was first introduced in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VII in England. It has a face value of 50 pence (or half a pound), but the actual value of the gold contained within the coin is significantly higher than its face value. The coin has a diameter of 19.30mm and weighs 3.99g, with a gold content of 0.1177 troy ounces or 3.66 grams of 22-carat gold. It features the image of the reigning monarch on the obverse side, while the reverse side bears an image of St. George slaying a dragon. Half Sovereigns were produced by the Royal Mint in large numbers until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Production resumed briefly between 1926 and 1932, but was halted again until 1980, when the Royal Mint started to produce the coin again in response to demand from collectors and investors. Today, Half Sovereign coins are popular among collectors and investors alike, due to their historical significance and gold content. They can be purchased in uncirculated or proof condition, with prices varying depending on the condition of the coin, its rarity, and the current market value of gold. Half Sovereigns are also exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the UK, making them an attractive option for UK investors. It's worth noting that Half Sovereigns are sometimes confused with Sovereigns, which are similar gold coins with a face value of one pound. Sovereigns contain twice the amount of gold as Half Sovereigns, and are thus more valuable.

How much is a Half Sovereign Worth?

£120 to £6950 is the price range that we have within our inventory of 37 half sovereign coins. The value of a Half Sovereign depends on a number of factors, including the age, rarity, and condition of the coin, as well as the current market value of gold. As of December 2021, the value of a typical modern Half Sovereign in uncirculated condition is around £200-£250 (roughly $270-$340 USD). However, older Half Sovereigns or those with rare or unusual characteristics may be worth considerably more. It's also worth noting that Half Sovereigns are made of gold and their value is thus subject to fluctuations in the price of gold. If the price of gold rises, the value of a Half Sovereign will increase as well. Similarly, if the price of gold falls, the value of a Half Sovereign will decrease. The value of an older Half Sovereign can vary greatly depending on its age, rarity, and condition. Here are some general guidelines:

Victorian Half Sovereigns: Half Sovereigns minted during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) are among the most common and least valuable. Depending on their condition, a Victorian Half Sovereign may be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $600-700 USD.
Edwardian Half Sovereigns: Half Sovereigns minted during the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910) are somewhat rarer than Victorian Half Sovereigns, but still relatively common. Depending on their condition, an Edwardian Half Sovereign may be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $1,000 USD.
George V Half Sovereigns: Half Sovereigns minted during the reign of King George V (1910-1936) are rarer than Victorian and Edwardian Half Sovereigns, as many were melted down for their gold content during World War I. Depending on their condition, a George V Half Sovereign may be worth anywhere from around $600-700 USD to several thousand dollars.
Pre-Victorian Half Sovereigns: Half Sovereigns minted before the reign of Queen Victoria are the rarest and most valuable. Depending on their age, condition, and rarity, a pre-Victorian Half Sovereign may be worth several thousand dollars or more.

It's worth noting that these are just general guidelines.

When did the Half Sovereign go out of circulation?

The Half Sovereign, which is a gold coin issued by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom, was in circulation as legal tender until 1914, when it was discontinued due to the outbreak of World War I. The coin was then reintroduced in 1926, but it was no longer used as a circulating coin and was only issued as a commemorative or bullion coin. Since then, the Half Sovereign has been produced intermittently as a commemorative or bullion coin, but it has not been used as legal tender in the UK.

Happy Shopping

We have a wide range of Half Crown coins in our collection so please do take the time to try and find what you want. Failing that, you can always email us to see if we have anything new in stock - we usually update our inventory every quarter.

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1900 AU-55

£2,750.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1902 FDC

£550.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1855 EF

£550.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1871 NEF

£350.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1887 XF-45

£6,950.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1878 AU-58

£595.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1911 FDC

£495.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1864 GEF

£450.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1989 PF-64

£395.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1876 AU-58

£595.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1982 FDC

£195.00

Out of stock

Half-Sovereign

Half-Sovereign 1877 GEF-AUNC

£495.00