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1982 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Half Sovereign

1982 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Half Sovereign Boxed

Buy a 1982 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Half Sovereign

£245.00
(VAT Exempt)
This 1982 Half Sovereign comes in its original presentation box from The Royal Mint with a certificate of authenticity enclosed. Just 19,090 proof Half Sovereigns were issued in this presentation in 1982. The certificate is not numbered but this wasn’t the practice in the early 80s. The obverse of this coin shows Arnold Machin’s portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. This effigy was used on British coinage between 1968 and 1984 though since proof Half Sovereigns were only struck again from 1980 there are just a few years that use this profile. The reverse features the instantly recognisable image of Saint George in the act of slaying a dragon which cowers under his horses hooves. This engraving of England’s patron saint dates back to the reign of George IV and the first issue of modern Half Sovereigns. It’s the work of Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci and has become synonymous with these gold coins. Like the Half Sovereigns struck in 1817, this one is composed of 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold. The difference here is the fine proof finish, achieved with multiple strikes of hand finished dies and protected by the original capsule.
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Dated 1982, this gold proof Half Sovereign features Arnold Machin's portrait to the obverse.

What Are Half Sovereigns?

The earliest Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns were struck during the reign of English king, Henry VII. The name of these prestigious Tudor issues was reclaimed for a new gold coin in 1817, following a major overhaul of British coinage. These Sovereigns would continue to circulate in Britain for a century, through the long reign of Queen Victoria and up to the outbreak of the First World War.

Many decades later, responding to the popularity of these coins among investors, The Royal Mint began issuing new Half Sovereigns, first with a proof finish and then as bullion and in a range of sets. Offered from 1980 onwards, these coins maintained the specification established in the early nineteenth century: composed of 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold with a diameter of 19.30 millimetres.

Saint George and the Dragon

Like most gold Half Sovereigns struck in the last century, this 1982 edition features an instantly recognisable image of Saint George to the reverse. This classic engraving, showing England's patron saint in the act of slaying a dragon, dates back to 1817 and is the work of Italian artist, Benedetto Pistrucci.

Half Sovereigns don't carry a mention of their value - £1 / One Pound - on their face so the sight of St George is an easy identifier for many collectors as this design has become synonymous with these gold coins.

The 1982 proof Half Sovereign is one of just four to feature Arnold Machin's portrait of Her Majesty the Queen on its obverse. It's a youthful effigy which shows Elizabeth II wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. It was replaced in 1985 with a new profile by Raphael Maklouf.

Buying Gold Proof Sovereigns

This 1982 proof Sovereign comes in its original presentation packaging from The Royal Mint. This consists of a blue leatherette box with flocked lining in which the coin is enclosed in a capsule. An original certificate of authenticity is enclosed but these were't numbered at the time.

This coin is one of 19,090 issued in this presentation by The Royal Mint in 1982.

Also in stock uncirculated 1982 Half Sovereigns and full Sovereigns in proof and bullion finishes. Just looking to buy gold? You might be interested in our best value, mixed year Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns for our lowest margin over spot.

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