Gold proof 2002 British Half Sovereign from The Royal Mint in its original case with a certificate of authenticity.
Background: Gold Proof Half Sovereigns
The Half Sovereign originated in Tudor times as a hammered gold coin, presented to VIPs. Their legend was reborn in the early nineteenth century when the name was revived for a new denomination, first issued in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars and a wholesale overhaul of British coinage.
The Half Sovereigns minted in 1817 established a specification that is closely followed to this day. Each of these 22 carat (916.7) gold coins weighs 3.99 grams meaning they have an actual gold weight of 3.66 grams or .1177 troy ounces. They measure 19.30 millimetres in diameter and feature a milled edge.
Half Sovereigns once circulated across the globe, a symbol of the British Empire, trusted to contain a known quantity of gold. Regular production ended in 1926 with only special coronation issues struck until The Royal Mint began offering a limited number of proof Half Sovereigns again in 1980.
2022 Golden Jubilee Sovereign Reverse
Most Half Sovereigns feature the instantly-recognisable image England's patron saint, St George, locked in a battle with a fearsome dragon. This design was crafted by Italian artist, Benedetto Pistrucci, for the first modern Sovereigns.
2002 Sovereigns mark a rare departure, boasting a one-year-only reverse, authorised by The Royal Mint to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The design features a shield of royal arms with a crown above in the centre of a laurel wreath, the date at the bottom. It's the work of heraldic artist Timothy Noad and appears across coins in the 2002 Sovereign family.
Half Sovereigns from 2002 show Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Elizabeth II to the obverse. In use on British coinage since 1998, the crowned effigy is paired with the inscription: 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF'.
Buy A Gold Proof 2022 Half Sovereign
The difference between proof Half Sovereigns and their bullion counterparts is in their fine finish, achieved with multiple strikes of hand-prepared dies. Proof coins are also offered in limited numbers making them hard to get hold of, especially a few decades after they were first issued.
10,000 gold proof Half Sovereigns were issued by The Royal Mint in 2002.
Our gold Half Sovereigns come in their original presentation packaging. For the 2002 Half Sovereign this comprises an outer leather-look box and an inner velvet case, all in deep red. Your numbered certificate of authenticity doubles as an information booklet.
Like all gold Sovereigns, this 2002 example is VAT free as investment gold and Capital Gains Tax exempt as UK legal tender. We also offer a bullion version: see our 2002 uncirculated Half Sovereigns.
How Can I Sell A Proof Half Sovereign?
Do you have a 2002 proof Half Sovereign that you would like to sell? We buy these collectors coins and much more at our shop in Royal Wootton Bassett and by post. Visit our Sell Your Coins page for more information or contact us for a quick quote on your Half Sovereign.
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).
