A fascinating 1982 UK gold Half Sovereign from The Royal Mint.
What Is The First Elizabeth II Half Sovereign?
The earliest Half Sovereigns were struck during the reign of Tudor king, Henry VII. These large hammered coins didn't circulate much but their successors, the first modern Half Sovereigns, certainly did. From their introduction in 1817, the Half Sovereign has had the same specification, containing 3.99 grams of 22 carat (916.7) gold and showing a diameter of 19.30 millimetres.
Through the Victorian age, Half Sovereigns were minted annually but circulation tailed off in the early twentieth century. The tradition was revived in 1980 when the Royal Mint issued the first modern proof Half Sovereign. An uncirculated Half Sovereign followed in 1982 but the tradition of striking these fractional Sovereigns for the investment market would not pick up again until 2000, making this issue an outlier among Elizabeth II Half Sovereigns.
Arnold Machin's Royal Portrait
The obverse of the 1982 Half Sovereign shows the second definitive coinage effigy of Her Majesty the Queen, as used on her British money. It’s the work of Arnold Machin and can been seen on change dated 1968 to 1984. There aren't many Half Sovereigns featuring the portrait though, indeed this is the only Half Sovereign issued as uncirculated to show the uncoupled, youthful profile.
This gold Half Sovereign is one of very few to feature Arnold Machin's portrait of Elizabeth II.
Machin's portrait is paired with a much older engraving to the reverse, dating back to 1817 when the first Half Sovereigns were issued. It was designed by Benedetto Pistrucci and shows England's patron saint, St George, in the act of slaying a dragon which cowers under his rearing horses hooves. The date - 1982 - appears below.
Investing In 1982 Gold Half Sovereigns
This 1982 Half Sovereign comes in uncirculated condition. Our individual date Half Sovereigns are all graded about Extremely Fine (aEF) or above. They might show minor bag marks but nothing that would impact the weight or detract from the design.
Like all our gold coins, this one is carefully authenticated by our team to ensure its the genuine article using XRF technology and our decades of experience.
You'll receive this coin in a protective slip and we'll carefully package that for shipping which is free in the UK.
You might also be interested in our best value, mixed year Half Sovereigns at our lowest price over spot. Like those, this 1982 gold Half Sovereign benefits from being VAT and Capital Gains Tax exempt.
How To Sell A 1982 Half Sovereign
Want cash for your 1982 gold Half Sovereign? We can pay you fast for your gold, silver and base metal coins either in person at our gold counter in Wiltshire or via bank transfer. Visit our Sell Your Coins page for details.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
3.66 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952- present)
Denomination:
Half Sovereign
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Grade: aEF or better
- Bullion Half Sovereign from 1982
- First Elizabeth II uncirculated Half Sovereign
- 3.99 grams of 22 carat (916.7) gold
- Diameter: 19.30 millimetres
- Obverse shows Arnold Machin's portrait of the Queen
- Used on very few gold Half Sovereigns
- Reverse features date and image of St George
- Graded about Extrmely Fine or better
- VAT and Capital Gains Tax exempt
- Supplied in protective slip
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.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
When you buy online with the Britannia Coin Company, you're guaranteed a fully protected service. 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.
Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
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