Limited edition Royal Mint 1990 gold proof Sovereign from a limited issue of 4,231.
Gold Half Sovereigns History
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.
Pistrucci and Maklouf
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.
Between 1985 and 1997, British money, including Half Sovereigns featured a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by renown sculptor Raphael Maklouf to the obverse. His effigy shows the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem. Maklouf's initials can be seen on the truncation of her neck.
Collectible Proof Sovereign
This 1990 Half Sovereign comes in its original box and case with a numbered certificate of authenticity. It's finished to The Royal Mint’s 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.
4,231 gold proof Half Sovereigns were issued in this presentation in 1990.
If you're interested in a 1990 gold proof Half Sovereign you may also want to consider a 'full' 1990 proof Sovereign or our mixed year, best value bullion Half Sovereigns.
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.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
3.65 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Denomination:
Half Sovereign
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
New / Pre-owned:
Pre-owned
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- 1990 Half Sovereign
- Finished to proof standard
- 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold
- .1176 troy ounces of gold
- 19.30 millimetre diameter
- Just 4,231 issued, plus coins in sets
- Obverse: Arnold Machin's portrait of Elizabeth II
- Reverse: Saint George and the Dragon
- Offered in original case and capsule
- Certificate of authenticity included
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.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
When you buy online with the Britannia Coin Company, you're guaranteed a fully protected service. 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.
Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
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