What a half Sovereign is made of
- Total weight: 3.99402g
- Purity: 22 carat (916.7 fine, 91.67% gold)
- Fine gold content: 3.66g, that is 0.1177 of a troy ounce
- Diameter: 19.30mm
Everything true of a full Sovereign holds for the half, halved. Same alloy, same 22 carat standard.
What a half Sovereign is worth
A half Sovereign’s value starts from its fine gold content, 0.1177 of a troy ounce, valued against the live gold market.
Half sovereign weight and fine-gold content
| Coin | Weight | Fineness | Fine gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter sovereign (UK) | 2.00 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 1.83 g |
| Half sovereign (UK) | 3.99 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 3.66 g |
| Full sovereign (UK) | 7.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 7.32 g |
| Double sovereign (UK) | 15.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 14.64 g |
| Five-pound sovereign (UK) | 39.94 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 36.61 g |
| Britannia, 1 oz (1987-2012) | 34.05 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| Britannia, 1 oz (2013 on) | 31.21 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| Krugerrand, 1 oz (South Africa) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| Maple Leaf, 1 oz (Canada) | 31.11 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| Philharmonic, 1 oz (Austria) | 31.10 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| American Eagle, 1 oz (USA) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| 20 Francs (France, Switzerland) | 6.45 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 5.81 g |
| 20 Mark (Germany, 1871-1915) | 7.97 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 7.17 g |
Photograph both sides and any packaging before posting. Rare dates, proof finishes and scarce mint marks can justify a specialist assessment. GoldPaid does not publish a price list or calculator. Send photos for a rough estimate where possible; your written offer follows inspection of your own items.
When a half Sovereign is worth more than its gold
- Victorian and Edwardian half Sovereigns are collected by date and monarch.
- Branch-mint coins. Sydney, Melbourne and Perth issues can be scarcer than London strikes.
- Proof and uncirculated coins, especially boxed with a certificate, carry a premium.
Tax and selling
Like the full Sovereign, a half Sovereign dated 1837 or later is UK legal tender, so it is not a chargeable asset for Capital Gains Tax. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser. Check with HMRC if your situation is complex.
- Send a photo of both sides on WhatsApp for a rough estimate.
- Request a free, prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label if you want to proceed.
- Post it at any Post Office and keep your proof of postage. Your parcel travels on Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, tracked and signed for. Royal Mail cover may be available up to £2,500 depending on the postal method and cover level used. GoldPaid can confirm the appropriate postal option before you post. If the lot may be worth more than £2,500, tell us first and we can split it across more than one prepaid label at no charge.
- Get paid by bank transfer once you accept the written offer. Decline and it is returned free.
Common questions
How much gold is in a half Sovereign?
A half Sovereign contains 3.66g of fine gold (0.1177 of a troy ounce) in a total weight of 3.99402g of 22 carat gold. It is exactly half a full Sovereign.
What is a half Sovereign worth?
A half sovereign weighs about 3.99 g and contains about 3.66 g of fine gold. Rare dates, mint marks and proof finishes can matter beyond the gold content. Condition and authenticity must be assessed before a selling figure is reliable. GoldPaid does not publish a price list or calculator. Send photos for a rough estimate where possible; your written offer follows inspection of your own items.
Is a half Sovereign worth selling?
Yes. Even a single half Sovereign carries meaningful value, and GoldPaid buys single coins with a free, tracked, prepaid postal label and no obligation.
Do I pay tax on a half Sovereign?
No Capital Gains Tax applies for UK residents, because the half Sovereign is UK legal tender. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser; check with HMRC if needed.
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.
Speak to us before you post
Please send us photos on WhatsApp, and we will help you. We give a rough estimate where possible and arrange postage with you after our conversation. Your final offer follows inspection.