Every gold coin has a melt value
A useful starting point for any gold coin is the value of the gold inside it. That figure, the melt value or intrinsic value, is simple arithmetic: the coin’s fine gold content multiplied by the current gold price. A collectable coin, a rare date or a coin in exceptional condition can be worth more than its gold.
Because the gold price has risen substantially over the past decade, the gold value of every coin has risen with it. A Sovereign that changed hands for a fraction of today’s figure years ago now holds far more gold value, without the coin itself changing at all.
Gold coin content at a glance
Fine gold content is a published mint specification, so it does not change. It is the starting point for a coin’s value, priced against the live precious-metal market. The figures below are the published specifications, not a quote; for a figure on your specific coins, send a photo to GoldPaid on WhatsApp.
| Coin | Fine gold content | UK CGT |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sovereign | 0.2354 oz (7.32g) | Exempt* |
| Half Sovereign | 0.1177 oz (3.66g) | Exempt* |
| Britannia 1oz | 1.000 oz (31.1g) | Exempt* |
| Krugerrand 1oz | 1.000 oz (31.1g) | May apply |
*Britannias, and sovereigns dated 1837 or later, are UK legal tender, so they are not chargeable assets for Capital Gains Tax. Krugerrands are not UK legal tender, so a gain may be subject to CGT. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser. Check your own position with HMRC or an accountant.
Gold coin weights and the market value of their gold today
| Coin | Weight | Fineness | Fine gold | Spot value of the gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter sovereign (UK) | 2.00 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 1.83 g | £184.66 |
| Half sovereign (UK) | 3.99 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 3.66 g | £369.32 |
| Full sovereign (UK) | 7.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 7.32 g | £738.63 |
| Double sovereign (UK) | 15.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 14.64 g | £1,477.27 |
| Five-pound sovereign (UK) | 39.94 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 36.61 g | £3,693.17 |
| Britannia, 1 oz (1987-2012) | 34.05 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| Britannia, 1 oz (2013 on) | 31.21 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| Krugerrand, 1 oz (South Africa) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| Maple Leaf, 1 oz (Canada) | 31.11 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| Philharmonic, 1 oz (Austria) | 31.10 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| American Eagle, 1 oz (USA) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g | £3,137.54 |
| 20 Francs (France, Switzerland) | 6.45 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 5.81 g | £585.68 |
| 20 Mark (Germany, 1871-1915) | 7.97 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 7.17 g | £723.07 |
These are spot values of the metal content, not a GoldPaid buying price: any buyer pays less than spot, because refining, assay and margin come out of the metal value. GoldPaid publishes no buying rates; your written offer is set after XRF testing your own items. A coin with a rare date, a proof finish or a scarce mint mark can be worth more than its gold to a collector, which is why a photo of both sides on WhatsApp comes first: we will tell you if a coin looks like one for a specialist dealer or auction instead.
Choose your coin
What changes a coin’s value beyond the gold
- Condition. A bullion coin in ordinary circulated condition trades close to its gold value. An uncirculated or proof coin can carry a premium.
- Date and mint. Most modern bullion coins are valued for their metal. Certain dates, mints or low-mintage years are sought after by collectors.
- Coin versus jewellery. Coins are usually a known purity and weight, which makes them quick to identify. A coin mounted in a ring or pendant has usually lost most of its collector appeal.
- The live gold price. The single biggest factor. The same coin is worth more on a day the market is high.
If you are not sure whether a coin is “just bullion” or something a collector would pay extra for, send a photo of your coins on WhatsApp first and we will tell you how we would value them before you post anything.
How to sell gold coins by post
- Ask first. Message GoldPaid on WhatsApp with a clear photo of each coin. We give you a quick indicative figure and answer any questions, before anything is posted.
- Request your free label. If you want to proceed, we send a free, prepaid, tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery label, or a QR code for the Post Office counter.
- Post your coins. Wrap them so they cannot move, hand the parcel in at any Post Office, and keep your proof of postage. Your parcel travels on Royal Mail Special Delivery, and Royal Mail cover may be available up to £2,500 depending on the postal method and cover level used, and we confirm the right option for higher-value parcels before you post.
- Decide. We assay and weigh your coins, send a written offer, and pay by bank transfer once you accept. Decline and everything is returned free of charge.
Why sell your coins to GoldPaid
GoldPaid buys gold and silver by post across the UK. You never need to visit a shop, you are never pressured, and you see a written breakdown before you decide. Every coin is XRF-tested and listed on the written offer, not folded into a vague counter offer.
Common questions
How much is a gold coin worth?
The starting point for a gold coin's value is the gold it contains. On 4 October 2026, at a spot price of £100.87 per gram of fine gold, a full sovereign (7.32 g of fine gold) held about £738.63 of gold, and a one-ounce bullion coin such as a Britannia or Krugerrand about £3,138. These are market values, not a buying price. Rare dates, proof finishes and scarce mint marks can make a coin worth more to collectors.
How do I know what my gold coin is worth?
Start with the gold content, the fine ounces of gold in the coin, and multiply by the current gold price. That gives an indicative melt value, a guide to the scale rather than a quote. For an accurate figure on your specific coins, send a photo to GoldPaid on WhatsApp; the firm offer follows an XRF assay and weighing.
Are gold coins worth more than scrap gold?
Per gram of gold, the metal is worth the same. The advantage of coins is that their purity and weight are known mint specifications, so they are quick to value, and some carry a collectable premium on top of their gold content.
Do you buy single coins?
Yes. Whether it is one Sovereign found in a drawer or a full collection, you can post it to GoldPaid with a free, tracked, prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label and receive a no-obligation valuation.
Will I be taxed on selling gold coins?
Britannias, and sovereigns dated 1837 or later, are UK legal tender, so they are not chargeable assets for Capital Gains Tax. Krugerrands and gold bars are not UK legal tender, so a gain may be subject to CGT. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser. Check your own position with HMRC or an accountant.
Not the question you had? The full GoldPaid FAQ covers the rest, from postal cover and ID checks to what happens if you decline the offer.
Get a free Royal Mail label by email
Free, and it commits you to nothing. We test your items when they arrive and send a written offer; anything you decline comes back free.
Rather ask a question or send a photo first? Message us on WhatsApp.
GOLDPAID LTD · 07944 014111