The Great Britain Gold Sovereign is one of the world’s most popular coins. Used widely throughout the British Empire from 1817 until the interwar years between World War I and World War II, the Gold Sovereign may be the best-known variant, but it was not the only option. The 1817 revision of British coinage brought with it new half sovereigns as well. Now, Great Britain 1/2 Gold Sovereigns are available to you for purchase online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives inside individual plastic flips!
- Issued widely from 1817-1926 in circulation and as bullion coins as of 1980!
- Available in mixed types from random years!
- Varied conditions possible!
- Contains .1176 Troy oz of actual gold content per coin.
- Issued a face value of 1/2 Pound sterling by Britain.
- British monarchs feature on the obverse.
- George and the dragon appear on the reverse of most coins.
- Please note that buying multiples can result in receiving coins of the same type, date, design, and condition.
The history of the Great Britain 1/2 Gold Sovereign is a complex one. Generally speaking, the term Great Britain Gold Sovereign refers only to those coins issued after 1817 and the redesign of much of Britain’s coinage. All Great Britain Sovereigns are rooted in the history of the English sovereign coins first issued in 1544 during the latter years of the reign of King Henry VIII.
Half sovereigns were issued for circulation on a regular basis from 1817 to 1926. Special coronation-year issues were released through 1936, with coining halted in the half sovereign through the 1970s. The Great Britain Half Sovereign returned to production in 1980 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, but were issued as proof and bullion specimens rather than circulation pieces.
British monarchs appear on the obverse of Great Britain 1/2 Gold Sovereign Coins. Each monarch is depicted in the opposing relief from their predecessor. For example, Queen Elizabeth II is depicted in right-profile relief as her father, King George VI, was depicted in left-profile relief. In the case of monarchs with long reigns, like Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, the effigies would be modernized at times to reflect the age of the monarch.
St. George and the dragon appear on the reverse of most Great Britain 1/2 Gold Sovereign Coins. The exceptions to this actually came early on with the coins issued during William IV’s reign and the early decades of Queen Victoria’s reign. A crowned shield appeared on those coins of William IV’s reign, while a crowned shield with the Hanoverian arms appears on the coins from Queen Victoria’s reign. All other coins have the St. George and the dragon design from Benedetto Pistrucci.
These Great Britain 1/2 Gold Sovereign Coins are available with plastic flips. This listing offers coins in varied conditions from mixed types. The date marks on the coins determine the monarch that appears on the obverse and will also determine the reverse design. We cannot guarantee a date, design, or condition in advance. All coins are chosen at random once your payment clears. If you purchase more than one, please note your coins could all match or could vary within this series.
JM Bullion customer service is available to assist you at 800-276-6508. We are also available online through our live chat and email address features.