Published 2 June 2026
What a half sovereign is
A half sovereign is exactly what the name suggests: half the gold of a full sovereign. It weighs 3.99 grams in total and contains 3.66 grams of fine 22 carat gold, which is roughly 0.1177 troy ounce. Both faces carry the same designs as the full sovereign, a monarch portrait on the obverse and most commonly St George and the dragon on the reverse, but the coin is small, easy to misplace and easy to over-value if it once carried sentimental jewellery use.
Half sovereigns were minted from 1817 onwards in step with full sovereigns. Modern half sovereigns appear under Elizabeth II from 1980 and now under Charles III. Older Victoria, Edward VII and George V half sovereigns turn up in family collections, often mounted as pendants or set into rings.
Loose coins versus mounted coins
A loose, unmounted half sovereign is straightforward. The XRF reading confirms the gold content, the scale confirms the weight and the date informs the rarity check. Mounted half sovereigns are different. A coin set into a pendant frame or a ring shank has been altered. The mount itself is usually 9 carat gold rather than 22 carat, and any solder joining the coin to the mount changes the metal mix at that point.
We still buy mounted half sovereigns, and we will tell you whether removing the mount is worth doing before sale. Sometimes the mount has its own scrap value. Sometimes the jewellery piece as a whole is worth more than the coin alone because someone wants to wear it.
How the written valuation is built
Every parcel is opened in front of a camera. Each coin is logged, weighed individually and tested by XRF. The reading confirms the alloy is consistent with a genuine 22 carat half sovereign. The numismatic check looks at date, mint mark and condition.
Final offers depend on inspection, item weight, purity, hallmarks, stones, non-gold components, condition and the live precious-metal market. The written valuation that lands on your WhatsApp is itemised: a line per coin, a sub-total for bullion content and a clear note where any premium has been added for rarity or condition.
Posting a small parcel without losing coins
- Photograph each coin on a plain background and send to 07763 741067.
- Wait for the shape-of-offer reply and the prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label.
- Drop each coin into its own coin flip, small zip bag or square of tissue.
- Place inside a padded jiffy bag and slide that into a rigid outer envelope.
- Hand it in at a Post Office counter and ask for the tracked receipt.
- Send the tracking number across on WhatsApp.
Rarity windows worth flagging
A short pointer list for sellers who do not collect coins. Victoria young-head shield-back half sovereigns from the 1840s and 1850s have collector interest. Branch-mint half sovereigns marked with an S, M or P (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth) are scarcer than London-struck coins. Edward VII and George V half sovereigns are usually bullion-led but condition grade matters. Half sovereigns in original Royal Mint cases with certificates from the 1980s and later usually carry a small numismatic premium over melt.
If your coin sits in any of those windows, say so on WhatsApp. It changes the way we look at the parcel before testing.
Decline and return
If the written valuation is not what you hoped for, decline in writing on WhatsApp. The coins go back to you by tracked Royal Mail post within one working day and we pay the return postage. There is no admin fee, no restocking charge and no obligation. The valuation is yours to keep and use as a second opinion elsewhere.
Common questions
Do you buy single half sovereigns?
Yes. One coin is enough to send.
Are mounted half sovereigns worth anything?
Yes, and we will tell you whether the mount adds or subtracts from the offer. Do not unset the coin yourself.
How are my coins insured?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. We split the parcel across two labels if you are sending more than that.
Do you need the original case?
It helps for proof coins. Send it if you have it. The coin still sells without it.
What if my half sovereign is not magnetic but I am still unsure?
Gold is non-magnetic, but a magnet test is not enough to confirm authenticity on its own. The XRF analyser gives a definitive answer.
How long does the valuation take?
Most parcels are tested and valued on the working day they arrive. We send the written valuation on WhatsApp as soon as it is ready.
Do you take walk-ins?
No. We are postal-only and operate UK-wide.
When am I paid?
By bank transfer on the working day you accept the offer.