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2004 Gold Proof Half Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II Coin

2004 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Half Sovereign Boxed

Buy a 2004 Gold Proof Half Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II Coin

from
£275.00
(VAT Exempt)
From a limited edition presentation of 4,446, this gold proof Half Sovereign was minted in 2004. Half Sovereigns were introduced in 1817, alongside the modern full Sovereign, in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars. They’re still minted to a specification established at that time. Each Half Sovereign is composed of 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold (that’s .1176 troy oz of pure gold) with a 19.30 millimetre diameter. This 2004 Sovereign is no different except in that it is struck to proof standard. Design for collectors, proof coins have a higher level of detail and shine compared to their uncirculated counterparts thanks to multiple strikes of hand-finished dies. This 2004 proof Half Sovereign features Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the obverse, in use on British money between 1998 and 2015. The reverse shows the classic image of Saint George, mounted on horseback in the act of slaying a dragon. It’s the work of Italian artist, Benedetto Pistrucci and has become intrinsically linked with these prestigious gold coins. This gold Half Sovereign comes in it is original presentation case from The Royal Mint with its numbered certificate of authenticity included.
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2004 gold proof Half Sovereign from a limited edition presentation of 4,446.

The Story of the Half Sovereign

The first Half Sovereigns were minted by the Tudor monarchs. Later, the name was revived for a new gold coin, introduced in 1817 following a major overhaul of British coinage. They were minted for more than a century, only falling out of production and circulation after the First World War.

Half Sovereigns are composed of 3.994 grams of 22 carat gold. They have a diameter of 19.30 and contain .1176 troy ounces of pure gold. Nominally, Half Sovereigns have a value of half a Pound sterling though their precious metal content means they are worth significantly more.

Proof Half Sovereigns began to be minted regularly in the 1980s, joining full Sovereigns as part of the The Royal Mint’s most prestigious annual issue. These coins are available in sets and individually, minted in smaller numbers than larger Sovereigns which makes them particularly collectible.

Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George

For much of its history the modern Half Sovereign has featured an iconic reverse design, crafted by Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci. His instantly-recognisable Saint George and the Dragon design shows England's patron saint mounted on a horse, slaying a dragon underfoot.

It's a powerful image that has become synonymous with the gold Sovereign and Half Sovereign. These coins don't carry their denomination on their face as part of their legend like most currency, so the Saint George motif is an easy identifier for many collectors. The coin's date appears below the dragon.

Pistrucci's design is paired with Ian Rank-Broadley's effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that appears on the obverse of this Half Sovereign. Introduced in 1998, this fourth definitive portrait shows a greater degree of realism that its idealised predecessors. Broadley's initials - IRB - appear below the truncation of Elizabeth II's neck.

Gold Proof Collector's Coin

4,446 gold proof Half Sovereigns were issued by The Royal Mint in 2004

This one comes in its original box and case with a numbered certificate of authenticity. It's finished to proof standard. Intended for collectors, proof coins have crisp details and high contrast between fields and designs, achieved with multiple strikes of specially prepared dies.

We carry a range of 2004 Sovereigns and other options for those interested in these coins, including:

These are all are exempt from Capital Gains Tax as UK legal tender and free from VAT in the UK and EU as investment grade gold.

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