Half sovereign

The half sovereign is an English and later, British gold coin with a nominal value of half a pound sterling, or ten shillings. It is half the weight (and has half the gold content) of its counterpart 'full' sovereign coin.

Half sovereign
United Kingdom
Value​1⁄2 pound sterling
Mass3.99 g
Diameter19.30 mm
EdgeMilled
Composition22 Carat Gold
Gold.1176 troy oz
Years of minting1817 - Present
Obverse
DesignPortrait of reigning monarch (George V obverse shown)
Reverse
DesignSaint George and the Dragon
DesignerBenedetto Pistrucci

Since the end of the gold standard, it has been issued only in limited quantities as a bullion or collectors' coin, with a sale price and resale value far in excess of its nominal value, though continues to be legal tender.

History

English coin
See also: Sovereign (English coin)

The half sovereign was first introduced in 1544 under Henry VIII. After 1604, the issue of half sovereigns, along with sovereigns, was discontinued.

British coin

In 1817, following a major revision of British coinage, new versions of half sovereigns and sovereigns were introduced.

Production continued until 1926 and, apart from special issues for coronation years, was not restarted until 1980.[1] It was also used extensively in Australia, until 1933.

Modern half sovereigns, from 1817 onwards, have a diameter of 19.30 mm, a thickness of c. 0.99 mm, a weight of 3.99 g, are made of 22 carat (​91 2⁄3%) crown gold alloy, and contain 0.1176 troy ounces (3.6575 g) of gold. The reverse side, featuring St. George slaying a dragon was designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, whose initials appear to the right of the date.[2]

Mintages
Year Coins minted
19822,500,000
1983–1999limited edition proofs only
2000146,822
200194,763
200261,347
200347,818
200434,924
200530,299

Counterfeiting

The half sovereign is a "protected coin" for the purposes of Part II of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.[3]

See also

References
  1. https://www.chards.co.uk/blog/half-sovereigns-information-page/277
  2. https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/great-britain-1-2-sovereign-km-819-1911-1915-cuid-1129956-duid-1327263
  3. The Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, section 27(1), as read with the Forgery and Counterfeiting (Protected Coins) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/505), article 2 and Schedule
Preceded by
Unknown		 Half Pound
1544–1926		 Succeeded by
Ten shilling note
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