Gold Sovereign

The secret of the gold sovereign hides behind centuries of history: the golden sovereign has the heritage of a great nation and the size of the greatest empire in the world. These pieces have been produced in many parts of the world, often travelling around the world and representing the crown.

Australia Gold Sovereign Coins 1871, the Sydney Mint was the first of the Australian mints to strike Gold sovereigns, with Melbourne following in 1872 and finally The Perth Mint in 1899. Each mint produced coins with their own mintmark, S, M or P, respectively, adding an aspect of collectibility to the popular Gold sovereign design. Mar 10, 2019 The secret of the gold sovereign hides behind centuries of history: the golden sovereign has the heritage of a great nation and the size of the greatest empire in the world. These pieces have been produced in many parts of the world, often travelling around the world and representing the crown. They were the seal of the main commercial powerRead more. British Sovereign gold coins are the most prestigious bullion gold coins in the world – and due to their legal tender status in the UK, they are Capital Gains Tax (CGT) free. The Sovereign is The. Although gold sovereigns carry a £1 face value, the coin’s true worth is far more because it is made from 0.235 troy ounces of gold – slightly more than a traditional ounce. Thanks to its small size, gold sovereigns are far more popular with investors than 1oz coins - such as the Britannia and Krugerrand. British Gold Sovereigns are one of the most sought after and coveted gold coins ever minted. Struck on five different continents, Gold Sovereigns are a world standard gold coin, recognized everywhere for its gold value. On October 28, 1489 King Henry VII instructed the officers of his Royal Mint to produce 'a new money of gold.'

They were the seal of the main commercial power of the world until the beginning of the 20th century. Filled with history and emotions, the Gold Sovereign is an option of choice for investors and collectors of coins. The sovereign is a gold coin from the United Kingdom that had the value of one pound sterling.

It was used as a legal tender from 1817, but presently it is just a bullion coin that is sometimes mounted in jewellery.

• The coin was first designed during King Henry VII of England. The first design has the then ruler of Britain face on one side, and the reverse has the royal coat of arms on a shield surrounded by a Tudor double rose.
• Another design of the coin includes the initials of the designer, Benedetto Pistrucci and a design of Saint George slaying a dragon on the other side. This design was done during the time of William IV, Victoria, George IV and Elizabeth II.

The name gold sovereign comes from the fact that the coin has a royal portrait on the face. Initially, when the coin was minted, it was hardly used because most people were using banknotes. However, when the banknotes were limited by law, the coin became popular. It not only became a popular circulating coin, but it was also recognized in the international market as a legal tender. The gold sovereign got its name from the royal household of Britain.

Gold Sovereigns were used not only in Britain

These gold coins were not only used in Britain as it spread to almost all part of the world. As mentioned earlier, it became recognised internationally, and it became a predominant means of monetary exchange from 1818 to the early 1900s. During this period, as the British Empire expanded, the mint factories that produced these coins were opened in different parts of the world.

Cities like:

• Pretoria,
• Bombay,
• Ottawa

and some other places that were under the British rule were also producing the sovereign coin. This was done to make sure there is enough supply of the British gold sovereign available for trade.

The original British gold sovereigns were 23-carat gold and weighed 240 grains. At the time of King Henry VIII, the purity of the coin was reduced to 22 carats of gold, which in both cases is the standard gold coin of the United States and the United Kingdom. This gold-plated alloy comprises 22 parts of gold and two parts of copper. The alloy had not changed since then, except in 1887, when silver was used instead of copper in the mix.

In the course of history, the weight of the British sovereign in gold was reduced several times until 1816. The Great Law of Recovery established the weight of the British gold sovereign at exactly 113 grains, where it stayed for almost two centuries.

Over a period of a little over two hundred years, from 1604 to 1817, the British gold sovereign was removed from production and replaced by a series of coins, notably Unites, Laurels and Broads, and finally Guinea. Although more than a billion gold coins have been forged throughout history, this number is not a true record of the availability of these coins, as it was common for Victorian banks to withdraw the deteriorated coins from circulation to be melted and rebuilt. In addition to this practice, it was common for foreign governments to cast coins and convert them into gold bars.

Modern British gold sovereigns have been minted since 2000 only at the Royal Mint of Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales. These parts are minted under the watchful supervision of the Department of Defense police in a sealed area of ​​the Mint.

What are the Gold Sovereigns worth today and what does it depend on?

Currently, the gold sovereign value depends on the weight. Some people that are fortunate to inherit a large amount of this bullion coin may not know the actual value of a gold sovereign. The sovereign coin price as said earlier depends on the weight because as explained in previous paragraphs, the size of the gold was reduced from period to period.

If you are looking for how much are gold sovereigns worth today, you are at the right place to get the answer because this article will give you the breakdown of sovereign coin price and also serve as a gold sovereign price guide. However, before we talk about the price, you should know that gold sovereign coin is so named because it is made of gold. Although it is not entirely gold, which is why there are different prices; you should be aware of the fact that irrespective of the type, every gold sovereign coin has quite a worth.

They are usually identified with different names, and they include:

• The five sovereign or £5 gold crown, this weights 39.96, and the gold content of the coin is 36.609. It is sold at the rate of £1,124.13
• The double sovereign or £2 weights 15.99; the gold content is 14.674. It is sold at the rate of £449.96
• The full sovereign is weighing 7.99 with a gold content of 7.314. It is sold at the rate of £224.68
• The half sovereign is weighing 3.99 with a gold content of 3.656. It is sold at the rate of £112.34
• The smallest size is the quarter sovereign that weighs 2 and has a gold content of 1.832. It is sold at the rate of £56.28

These values indicate the different amount of gold used in minting these coins relative to other materials.

The fact that sovereigns are considered semi-numismatic coins (an interesting point for coin collectors) of course means that certain sovereigns of a given year are worth even more than their value in precious metals. The demand of these sovereigns is greatly increased by certain factors such as the scarcity, specific design or by the sovereign or mint branch in which they were produced.

Older sovereign coins tend to earn more value in good condition and thus tend to receive a premium from collectors. Collections can also be done in sets, for example by date, ruler, size or country of origin. Since sovereigns were invented for a long time in different places, the anomalies are numerous, an example of which includes identifying letters for several mints, coins with imperfections, and unique design. While this is of particular interest to collectors of some sovereigns, it should be borne in mind that this is not necessarily more valuable in itself, since a precious metals dealer always values a precious metal coin for his pure metal content.

Where to sell your Gold Sovereigns?

The information provided above has answered the question of how much gold sovereigns are worth today, and it has also thrown more light on gold sovereign value. However, this value may not be absolute as it depends on where you are going to buy or sell your gold sovereign. Nevertheless, these values will serve as a guide on how much a gold sovereign is worth.

If you have a gold sovereign, and you’re considering selling it, you need to find a place where you will get maximum value for it without getting cheated because you can actually get shortchanged if you don’t know how to go about it.

Spot4coins.com is a platform where you can trade your coins without getting worried about being scammed, and of course, you will also get the best value on your gold sovereign. See it for yourself by contacting us!

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Are gold sovereigns a good investment?

Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to own gold coins will understand that there’s something solid and satisfying about investing in sovereigns.

As one of the world’s most recognisable coins, it symbolises the quality and history that’s long been associated with The Royal Mint

First minted in 1489 and from 1817 featuring the iconic St George and the Dragon design, the gold sovereign is one of the oldest coins still in production today.

Made from 22ct gold and weighing just over a quarter of an ounce, it remains arguably the most popular investment coin in the UK.

But, despite its place in British history, our numismatic experts are frequently asked ‘Are gold sovereigns a good investment?’

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at:

• Why you should consider investing in gold
• The 3 biggest benefits of investing in gold sovereigns
• Why there are two different types of coin investor
• The gold sovereigns you should invest in

WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN GOLD?

It’s not unusual for financial advisors to recommend buying gold as part of a diverse investment portfolio.

Just like stocks and shares, the price of gold does move both up and down. But, historically, gold has always held its value – even in times of extreme financial crisis or when other markets become volatile.

If you are keen to invest in gold, there are many ways to do so – including:

• Gold-mining companies
• Buying gold bars
• Gold sovereigns

WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN GOLD SOVEREIGNS?

Numismatists have been known to collect gold coins and sovereigns so they can cherish their age, weight, beauty and craftwork in the palm of their hand.

But for investors, there are three main reasons why they’re such a desirable asset…

1. Historic appeal

The first British gold sovereigns were minted during the Tudor reign of king Henry VII in 1489.

Today’s much-loved design, with St George slaying a dragon astride his brave steed, is the work of renowned engraver Benedetto Pistrucci and dates back to 1817 (pictured above).

Originally minted in London, during the late 1800s and early 1900s thousands were eventually produced as far afield as Australia and South Africa – including mints in Bombay, Ottawa, Pretoria, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

In 2017, the gold sovereign celebrated its 200th anniversary. It remains the flagship coin of the British Royal Mint and is cherished for its rich history and the traditions it represents.

2. Easy to trade

Although gold sovereigns carry a £1 face value, the coin’s true worth is far more because it is made from 0.235 troy ounces of gold – slightly more than a traditional ounce.

Thanks to its small size, gold sovereigns are far more popular with investors than 1oz coins - such as the Britannia and Krugerrand. This is probably because of the ease with which small amounts can be traded and the fact they are far more affordable to acquire and realise – even more so when compared to gold bars.

3. Tax exempt

From an investor’s perspective, the best thing about gold sovereign is you can save tax by trading them.

This is because All British sovereigns and Britannia coins produced after 1837 are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – due to being classed as legal tender.

Some gold coins are also exempt from VAT, but the rules on this are more complex.

If a coin is bought as a gold bullion investment, there is usually no VAT to pay.

If a coin sells for more than 180% of its gold-content value (as rare coins often do), it’s classed as a collector’s item and VAT must be paid.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COIN INVESTOR

Just like the many different types of gold coins that are on the market, there are many different types of investor.

Some investors buy gold sovereigns because they want to hold on to them for the long term – hopeful of a rise in the ‘spot’ price.

Others choose them for convenience – they can be easily stored at home and quickly accessed or sold should they ever need to release capital urgently in an emergency.

For coin collectors and numismatists, the appeal of British gold sovereigns often lies in their aesthetic and historical appeal.

Numismatists will usually be attracted to rare gold sovereigns or historic coins, whilst investors tend to opt for those which offer the best value. These are usually lower grade Sovereigns worth little more than the ‘spot’ price for their pure gold value.

No matter which category you fall within, investing in gold sovereigns will allow you to own a world-famous coin with a proven and stable global market.

WHICH SOVEREIGNS SHOULD YOU INVEST IN?

Once you’ve decided to buy gold sovereigns as an investment, the next big decision is how much to invest and what type of coins to acquire.

The most sensible and prudent strategy is to diversify your investment.

Obviously, this depends on your personal circumstances and you should only ever invest an amount you’re comfortable with.

Here are some of the types of gold coins you may want to consider…

Pre-1604 Sovereigns

Gold sovereigns minted in 1604 or before are highly desirable due to their scarcity and rarity value.

Bigger and heavier than today’s sovereign and made from purer 23-carat gold, their prices are not affected by the market price of gold and they can fetch thousands.

Definitely the specialist domain of collectors rather than purely speculative gold investors.

Post 1604 Sovereigns

Even a sovereign which is in a relatively poor condition can command an extraordinary price, especially if they are rare.

Only ten examples of The King George III 1819 Sovereign are known to exist and a fine example achieved a staggering £186,000 when it went under the hammer in 2013.

The more modern 1859 Victoria ‘Ansell’ coin - named after the chemist George Ansell, who helped to develop the stronger alloy used by the Royal Mint in Sovereign production - is another rare Sovereign. Less than 25 are believed to exist and, back in 2012, a fine example sold for more than £15,000

At Warwick & Warwick, we are experts in coin valuations and frequently sell rare gold sovereigns at auction.

In April 2019, this 1817 sovereign (picture above), graded MS62 in a plastic NGC holder, achieved £2,520 in our British gold section.

The same sale saw this 1835 sovereign, graded nearly very fine, realise £780 (pictured above).

The 1819 sovereign (pictured above) is the rarest of the 19th and 20th century sovereigns with 3,574 being struck and only 10 thought to remain in existence today. Warwick & Warwick offered an example in our August 2017 sale with an estimate of £90,000. It didn’t sell in the auction but a private sale afterwards was arranged for £75,000.

Back in December 2018, at our British Gold coins auction we managed to achieve £1,860 for this high grade 1823 £2 (pictured above).

In October 2018, another Warwick & Warwick auction saw this 1817 sovereign sold for £1,200 (pictured above).

We also achieved £720 for this 1825 bare head shield sovereign, which was graded as extremely fine (pictured above).

And this 1836 sovereign (above), graded as nearly very fine or very fine, realised £840.

In April 2015, this 1887 £5 to 3d set in a fitted case (above) achieved the excellent price of £3,422 including buyers' premium.

A few months earlier in August 2015, this William IV 1832 sovereign – described as very fine and double struck on the date – achieved £619 (above).

But the highlight of that summer sale was this William IV 1836 sovereign variety with the letter N of ANNO struck in the shield, which realised a massive £3,068 (above).

Other examples of rare sovereigns made during the 1900s include:

• 1908: Edward VII Sovereign - Ottawa Mint
• 1916: George V Sovereign - Ottawa Mint
• 1917: George V Sovereign - London Mint
• 1920: George V Sovereign - Sydney Mint
• 1921: George V Sovereign - Melbourne Mint
• 1922: George V Sovereign - Melbourne Mint
• 1923: George V Sovereign - Sydney Mint
• 1924: George V Sovereign - Pretoria Mint
• 1926: George V Sovereign - Sydney Mint

Gold Proof Sovereigns

Originally, proofs were produced to test the quality and design before full production and they can be very collectable.

In recent years, the British Royal Mint has produced gold proofs of its sovereigns to be sold in a display case with a limited-edition certificate.

Proof sovereigns are rarely worth more than their ‘spot’ value, but there have been occasions where they’ve surprised the market.

An unusual 2017 proof, featuring a special George and the Dragon design to commemorate the modern sovereign’s 200th anniversary, could now realise around £800 to £900 in pristine condition.

The 1989 proof Sovereign, which marked the 500th anniversary of sovereigns minted for King Henry VII in 1489, are also highly sought-after and can achieve upwards of £1,000.

In June 2015, we were delighted to sell this 1887 sovereign proof for £855 (below) at auction.

Half Sovereigns & Quarter Sovereigns

Gold Sovereign Weight

Introduced in 1817, the Half Sovereign is a very reasonably priced entry point into coin investment. Due to its popularity, the Royal Mint added a new Quarter Sovereign in 2009. Both have been known to perform well in terms of investment for their pure gold value.

In August 2018, Warwick & Warwick were proud to sell this Edward VI second period half sovereign for £2,880 at auction (below).

In February 2015, we sold these 1818 half sovereigns for a combined total of £460 (below).

European and overseas sovereigns

Although this is often an overlooked market, the rarity of these coins means they can be a good acquisition for investors. Take into account their aesthetic value and historical significance, and these coins can offer the best potential rise in numismatic value for close to bullion prices.

Gold Sovereign Ring

CONCLUSION - TWO GREAT WAYS TO BUILD WEALTH

Just like stocks and shares, the price of British gold sovereigns will rise and fall.

But the main advantage they hold when investing in them is that they will ALWAYS boast a real and permanent value – unlike some shares or crypto currencies.

Historically, they have held their ‘spot’ market value no matter what happens to the global economy.

Some sovereigns also have the potential to RISE in value due to their rarity, aesthetic or historical appeal.

They therefore offer a combination of the benefits of holding gold bullion and numismatics in one small investment.

If gold investment is your prime motivation, avoid buying new issues which are often overpriced and produced solely for collectors who take pleasure from owning them.

Instead, try to acquire pre-owned sovereigns – also known as bullion coins and secondary market sovereigns – as they provide better value and you’ll get more gold for your money.

As outlined at the beginning of this guide, the main benefit of buying gold Sovereigns (instead of bigger bullion units) is the increased flexibility when trying to sell a smaller portion of your overall investment. They are also ideal for people who regularly use their CGT allowance.

To successfully invest in rare coins which could rise in numismatic value, we believe investors need to gain considerable knowledge (or be able to tap into an expert who does) so acquisitions can be made at exactly the right time.

At Warwick & Warwick, we have compiled a database of investors who are interested in acquiring collectables for investment – and regularly email details about their appropriate interests.

Gold Sovereign Weight

Whilst we are not financial advisors, and this article should in no way be taken as investment advice, we regularly make our clients aware when any suitable gold sovereigns become available with us.

Gold Sovereign Value

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Gold Sovereign Current Value

Should you wish to sell a gold sovereign or receive a free expert coin valuation, please call 01926 499031 for an informal discussion.