High-grade 2017 bullion Half Sovereigns with a one-year-only privy mark, celebrating 200 years since the first modern Sovereigns were minted.
Are British Gold Half Sovereigns Valuable?
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 issued 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 Half Sovereigns again in 1980.
What Do 2017 Half Sovereigns Look Like?
2017 Half Sovereign feature Jody Clark's portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to the obverse. This effigy was introduced to UK coinage in 2015 and is the fifth such profile to be used during Elizabeth II's reign. The crowned portrait appears alongside the legend 'ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·'.
This is paired with a classic reverse design, instantly recognisable to coin collectors. Benedetto Pistrucci's image of St George, England's patron saint, in the act of slaying a dragon has been a near constant presence on these coins since their inception. The date and the artists initials appear below.
Half Sovereigns issued in 2017 feature a special 200 privy mark.
2017 marked the 200th anniversary of the first modern Sovereigns and, to celebrate, The Royal Mint have authorised a special privy mark on the bullion coins issued this year, including the Half Sovereign. This takes the form of a tiny quartered shield with '200' above it and appears next to the date.
Investing In 2017 Gold Half Sovereign Coins
Our 2017 Half sovereigns are offered in about Extremely Fine (aEF) condition meaning they show very limited signs of wear or handling, making them ideal as gifts. We'll deliver them to you in secure, discrete packaging that protects the coins finish.
There's a few different options to consider if you’re researching 2017 Half Sovereigns:
All Sovereigns, including the 2017 Half Sovereign are exempt from Capital Gains Tax as UK legal tender and free from VAT in the UK and EU as investment grade gold.
Where Can I Sell A Bullion Half Sovereign
The easiest way to sell a 2017 Half Sovereign is to contact The Britannia Coin Company. We offer market leading prices for these modern collectible coins as well as other old currency. Visit our Sell Your Coins page to find out how you can get paid for you Half Sovereigns from home.
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).
