Gold proof Half Sovereign from The Royal Mint, dated 1983 in original box.
History Of The Half Sovereign
The first Sovereigns date back to the time of the fifteenth century and the reigns of the Tudor monarchs. Their prestigious name was revived in 1817 for a new gold coin, introduced following a major overhaul of British coinage. Full Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns remained in circulation until the First World War and thereafter gained a reputation as a sought-after bullion coin: trusted to contain a known quantity of gold.
The Royal Mint did not start minting new Half Sovereigns for decades, striking their first proof Half Sovereign in 1980. When they did they utilised the specification set down in the time of George IV: 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold and a diameter of 19.30 millimetres, jump starting an old tradition for a new audience.
Arnold Machin's Royal Portrait
Like most gold Half Sovereigns struck in the last century, this 1983 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 1983 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.
Original Box and Certificate
This proof Half Sovereign comes in it is original presentation packaging from The Royal Mint. This consists of a clear capsule and a velvet lined blue leather box with gold lettering to the exterior. There's a certificate of authenticity enclosed but these weren't numbered at this time.
Reportedly, 19,710 proof Half Sovereigns were issued in 1983, including those in sets.
If you're thinking about buying a 1983 Half Sovereign you might also be interested in our best value, mixed year Half Sovereigns. Like this proof edition they are VAT and Capital Gains Tax exempt.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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