Best Value Victoria Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns

Mixed year Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns of Queen Victoria at our best price.

The Story of the Gold Half Sovereign

Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns were first minted during the reign of Tudor king, Henry VII. In the early nineteenth century, the legacy of these prestigious coins was revived for a new gold issue, struck in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Half Sovereigns issued in 1817 established specifications followed through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These coins would be made of 3.99 grams of 22 carat (916.7 fine) gold.

Half Sovereigns have a pure gold content of 3.66 grams or 0.1177 troy ounces.

Half Sovereigns were struck through the Victorian period until the First World War when they fell out of circulation. The tradition of annual issues was only restarted in the 1980s with a proof series though the market for historic Half Sovereigns - including Jubilee Heads - has remained strong before and since.

Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Coins

Various portraits of Queen Victoria were used on her Half Sovereigns through her long reign. Among the most controversial and short-lived is the Jubilee Head.

It gets its name because it was introduced in 1887: the year of Victoria's Golden Jubilee, marking fifty years on the throne. The work of sculptor, Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, the Jubilee Head shows the Queen wearing the Small Diamond Crown and a long lace veil. The veil was a nod to the state of morning she entered after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, but the tiny crown was mocked by contemporary pundits as it appeared it might topple off at any moment. The design was removed from British half Sovereigns after only a few short years.

Boehm's initials appear to Victoria's shoulder and the legend reads: 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA'.

The reverse features an elaborately garnished shield of royal arms, surmounted by a crown, designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen. The date appears below, divided by the tip of the shield. The legend around reads: 'BRITANNARUM REGINA FID: DEF:'.

How Can I Buy A Jubilee Half Sovereign?

Our best value coins, including our Jubilee Half Sovereigns, are sold at our lowest margin over spot. 

Our expert staff carefully authenticate each and every one of these coins. We use XRF machines to confirm composition and our decades of expertise to ensure they coins you receive our genuine.

These coins are graded Fine (F) to Very Fine (VF) You won't receive any ex-jewellery mount coins but you might find your Sovereigns exhibit circulation wear, minor edge dings or surface scratches. These do not effect the weight or the beauty of the designs.

Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific year when you buy our mixed-date Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns. We do, however, have a wide range of high-grade Victorian coins that may be of interest: browse our range or contact us if there's a Sovereign you're looking for.

How Valuable Are Victorian Half Sovereigns?

The value of Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns can vary widely.

High grade examples of gold coins with this instantly recognisable portrait can command prices well above the bullion value. Errors can also add value, as can the tiny mint mark letter, found on the ground beneath the dragon to the reverse. If you can see an 'S' then your Sovereign was struck in Sydney, Australia. An 'M' identifies the mint as Melbourne. Branch mint Half Sovereigns can be more valuable than their UK counterparts.

The value of most Half Sovereigns will depend on the current gold spot price. This can go up and down through the day but in the long term you will likely find that the price dealers are prepared to pay for your Jubilee Head coins increases over time.

Investing In Historic Half Sovereigns

We recommend historic Victorian Half Sovereigns to investors for a range of reasons, including:

• These coins are composed of 22 carat gold and offer the intrinsic security of precious metals as a means of storing wealth
• They weigh a modest 3.99 grams making them simple to store and easier to liquidate in small portions than a large bar
• Gold half Sovereigns are classed as investment gold and are, as such, VAT free in the UK and EU
• As UK legal tender these gold coins are Capital Gains Tax exempt
• They're beautiful and interesting, adding an element of collectibility that can add value beyond their gold content

Free, Insured, Next Day Delivery

We'll post Half Sovereigns (almost) anywhere in the world, packed securely and discretely.

Delivery to UK addresses is free. When you order Jubilee Head coins from us we'll send your package via Royal Mail Special Delivery. This is a next day service (delivered before 13.00) and a signature will be required. International orders incur a flat £15 postage fee, regardless of the size of your order. The current list of countries we can't ship to can be found on our delivery page.

Where possible, we ship out items within 24 hours of an order being made. That said, we do take the weekends off. If there is a delay in dispatching your coins we'll contact you via the email address provided at check out.

If you're local to us you're welcome to pick up your Half Sovereigns from our shop in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. We're based out of Old Bank Antiques on the High Street though you're welcome to come to our secure counter, located at the side of the building on Station Road.

Can I Sell A Jubilee Head Half Sovereign?

Looking to sell your Half Sovereigns? We buy Jubilee Head coins as well as the full range of historic and modern coinage from the UK and further afield. Regardless of the condition of your coins we're happy to provide a no obligation quote. Visit our Sell Your Coins page and contact us to get fast cash for your Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns.