- Gold Sovereign Prices
- Gold Sovereign Weight
- Gold Sovereign Value
- Gold Sovereign Coins
- Gold Sovereign Melt Value
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.
When you look at semi-numismatic gold coins, the British gold sovereign (originally the one pound coin) is the most widely traded. There is constant and excellent liquidity in most countries in. 1 sovereign 1837 1887 australia 1788 1939 gold victoria 1819 royal mint launches proof versions of 2019 sovereign coin value great britain sovereign and half 1902 to 1910 1 sovereign george v ottawa mint united kingdom numista sovereign gold coins british kitco british sovereign george 1911 1932 gold spot price cur. The original English gold sovereign was last minted in 1604, and were so named because they featured images of the sovereign leader of the British Empire. Modern Great Britain Gold Sovereign Coins went back into production in 1817 following passage of the Great Recoinage of 1816.
The Sovereign is a fascinating coin with a lot of varaitions and rarities, many of these have not been recorded by previous catalogers. We are not only looking to address this, but also provide the resource online for collectors, dealers and grading companies alike. 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.
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).
Gold Sovereign Prices
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).
Borgata online casino app. 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
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).
Gold Sovereign Weight
Paytm real cash earning approval. 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.
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.
Gold Sovereign Value
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.
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.
If you’d like to sign up for our FREE Specialist Register service, please get in touch for more details.
Should you wish to sell a gold sovereign or receive a free expert coin valuation, please call 01926 499031 for an informal discussion.
One of the most searched questions about the gold Sovereign has to be ‘How much is my gold Sovereign worth?‘ Do a search on Google and you’ll find the question asked on dozens of sites. Of course, if you find the question answered and a value given, whilst it was probably correct at the time of writing, it’s unlikely to be still correct weeks, months or years later.
- A bullion gold Sovereign is currently worth £ 312.58 ($ 431.88 / € 356.07 ).
- The bullion value of a gold Sovereign is calculated at 7.31 x the price per gram of the prevailing gold price. It can also be calculated at 0.235 x the gold price per troy ounce.
Our article Gold Sovereign Value by Currency lists the current bullion value of gold Sovereigns in 13 currencies.
Bullion value vs numismatic value
Answering the question is however not quite so straightforward as it seems. On a simple level, many Sovereigns are worth their bullion value. However, other Sovereigns have a higher, numismatic value. The value of a Sovereign is dependent on a number of factors.
- The year it was minted
- Which branch mint produced it
- The total number of Sovereigns produced at that mint for that year or the total number remaining
- Whether it was a bullion or proof issue coin
- The condition of the coin.
To give you an example, there are 7 versions of the 1887 Sovereign:
Gold Sovereign Coins
So, the Melbourne mint, young head shield Sovereign is far more scarce than a Melbourne mint, young head St. George Sovereign. Referring to the 2014 edition of ‘Coins of England’ by Spink, a valuation of £900 is given for the former in ‘fine’ condition (the lowest grade of interest to collectors). Compare this to the latter, being a far more common example, its value is in its gold content (bullion value).
Mintage numbers
Simply looking at the mintage number for a particular Sovereign issue is not necessarily an accurate indication as to its scarcity. Many Sovereigns were shipped overseas to settle government debt. These coins would almost certainly have been melted down on arrival to their destination, thus increasing scarcity. Although over a million 1917 London mint Sovereigns were originally produced, it’s now an exceptionally hard coin to find, so be prepared to pay a four or five-figure sum if you want one!
Mintage Errors
It’s always worth keeping a sharp eye out for Sovereigns that occasionally appear with errors in the strike. As the demand for Sovereigns increased around 1843, more dies were having to be produced. Quality control was not quite a tight as it could have been and as a result, errors started to appear. So, if you come across an 1844 Sovereign with the first ‘4’ upside-down, it’s worth around double a standard example from the same year!
Calculating how much a gold Sovereign is worth
Putting the numismatic value to one side, at very minimum, a gold Sovereign is worth its weight in gold, otherwise referred to as its bullion value. If it’s in relatively unworn condition, it should still weigh 7.98g or thereabouts. A Sovereign is minted in 22ct gold, which means it contains 91.67% pure gold (7.31g by mass). To work out the bullion value of a Sovereign, we need to do some simple calculations. Pure gold is currently trading at around £ 1,328.74 / troy ounce ($ 1,836.04 / € 1,513.81 ).
There are 31.103 grams in a troy ounce, so to convert troy ounces to grams, we need to divide by 31.103. Therefore, the value of 1 gram of pure gold is £ 42.72 / g ($ 59.03 / € 48.67 ).
We already know that a Sovereign contains 7.31g, therefore the bullion value of a gold Sovereign is currently 7.31 x 42.72 = £ 312.58 ($ 471.06 / € 388.39 ).
Sell your gold Sovereign
If you’re considering selling a gold Sovereign, we will be more than happy to purchase it from you. Please see our selling gold Sovereigns page for more information. If you own a gold Sovereign and want to get an idea as to how rare it is, try out our easy-to-use wizard. Simply enter its year in the box at the top of this page to get started.Notes:
- For the purposes of this article, we update the the gold price twice a day, around 11.00am and 3.30pm GMT.
- If you work these figures out manually, it’s likely your answer will differ by a few pence. It’s simply down to rounding and the number of decimal places our system works to.
See our article Gold Sovereign Value by Currency for up-to-date bullion valuations in 13 currencies.
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