Product Specification
Denomination:
Five Sovereign
Precious Metal Content:
36.61 g
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
New / Pre-owned:
Pre-owned
Grade:
NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo
Are Gold Five Sovereigns A Good Investment?
Gold Five Sovereign coins from The Royal Mint combine investment stability, tax efficiency, and historic appeal. Collectors and investors seek out these coins for five key reasons:
INTRINSIC GOLD VALUE - Quintuple Sovereigns are traditionally made from 39.94 grams of 22-carat (91.67% fine) gold. That means that the actual gold content of these coins is a substantial 1.1771 troy ounces or 36.61 grams, significantly higher than a modern 1oz gold bullion coins
VAT FREE - Under current HMRC investment gold rules, Five Sovereign coins are exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UK, ensuring that investors pay purely for the gold content and craftsmanship rather than additional tax costs.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX EXEMPT - As legal tender produced by The Royal Mint, with a face value of £5, these coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for UK residents. This makes them particularly efficient for long-term investment compared with other gold products like bullion bars or world coins.
HISTORY & CRAFTSMANSHIP - Gold Five Pound coins have been minted for more than two centuries. These coins have featured some of the most celebrated British numismatic designs, including classic royal portraits and the instantly recognisable image of Saint George and the dragon.
LIMITED EDITION - Since they are often released in very limited numbers, Quintuple Sovereigns are sought after by serious collectors of large gold coins and maintain a strong resale value. Low mintage issues, variant designs and high grades from NGC or PCGS may attract additional premiums.
- 1981 gold proof Five Sovereign (£5) coin
- Sought-after modern proof issue
- Obverse shows Machin's portrait of Elizabeth II
- Reverse features classic St George design
- Created by Benedetto Pistrucci
- Struck in 39.94 grams of 22-carat gold
- Contains 36.61 grams of fine gold
- Finished to The Royal Mint's proof standard
- From an annual mintage of 5,400
- NGC graded collectors coin
What Is A Quintuple Sovereign?
Also known as the Five Sovereign, the Quintuple Sovereign is a prestigious large-format gold coin with a nominal face value of £5. Struck to the same traditional specification first established in the early 19th century, each coin contains 39.94 grams of 22-carat gold: five times the weight of a standard Sovereign.
Quintuple Sovereigns are highly valued by collectors who appreciate substantial coins that feature classic designs on a grand scale. Their limited mintages and high-quality finishes make them particularly desirable as premium numismatic and investment pieces.
History Of Gold Five Pound Coins
The origins of the gold £5 coin date back to the Great Recoinage of 1816, though the first examples were not struck until 1820. These early pieces were produced only in very small numbers and are now highly prized, with standout rarities such as the 1839 Una and the Lion £5 among the most celebrated British coins ever made.
Gold Five Pound coins were first struck for circulation in 1887, marking Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, and subsequently appeared in 1893, 1902, and 1911, though latterly only as part of Coronation proof sets, issued for collectors and VIPs.
Since 1980, The Royal Mint has revived this tradition, issuing Quintuple Sovereigns in most years. Modern examples are typically released in limited quantities, either as proof coins within Sovereign sets or as individual brilliant uncirculated pieces, lately with a distinctive matt finish.
What Are Five Sovereigns Worth?
The value of a gold Quintuple Sovereign depends on a combination of factors, including:
- Gold Content - Each coin contains nearly 40 grams of 22-carat gold, so its base value is strongly influenced by the current gold price. Fluctuations in the precious metals market can significantly affect its minimum worth
- Mintage - Coins from low-mintage years are often harder to find, with collectors willing to pay a premium to complete date runs
- Variant Designs - While the St George and the dragon design remains the classic reverse, certain years feature special commemorative issues, such as the 2002 Golden Jubilee coin
- Condition - As with all collectable coins, grade and preservation are key. Early issues in top condition are particularly sought-after and can command substantial premiums above their gold value
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
