Buy Gold Sovereigns
Prior to 1489, the Royal Mint of England had issued various other gold coins for circulation within the kingdom. When the first gold sovereigns were issued during the reign of King Henry VII it instantly became the largest and most valuable gold coin ever seen to date. Like modern gold sovereigns, these original coins included the portrait of Henry VII as depicted sitting on his throne in a coronation gown.
buy gold sovereigns
The reverse side of the original gold sovereigns included the double rose that symbolized the union of the House of York and House of Lancaster following the Wars of the Roses. Over the centuries, the reverse and obverse design elements would change with new monarchs. In 1603 however, the practice of coining the gold sovereign died out during the reign of King James I who had unified the crowns of Scotland and England.
Since 1817, gold sovereign coins have been issued to fill varying roles. From the original sovereigns of Henry VII to the new modern gold sovereign of King George III, most gold sovereigns prior to the 20th century were gold coins intended for use in circulation to meet economic needs as a medium of exchange. Those coins had a face value of 20 Shillings, with so-called Half-Sovereigns available with a 10 Shilling face value from time to time. The coins featured .2345 Troy oz of .917 gold content that included .083 copper and other metals to improve its resistance to wear and tear.
The most commonly issued British Gold Sovereign is the standard gold coin in this series. It has been available for most of the years since its introduction in 1817. While the Gold Sovereign is the most prevalent coin in the series, there are actually two other options available in the British Gold Sovereign Series. The British Gold Double Sovereign was conceived at the same time in 1817, but the coin never entered circulation. A select few proof or pattern coins were released in 1820 during the reign of King George III. In 1887, Double Sovereigns were released to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Double Sovereigns rarely went into circulation. In the 1980s, Double Sovereigns were introduced for the first time as modern bullion coins for investors. Additionally, a British Gold Half Sovereign was conceived in 1817, but like the Double Sovereign, was rarely issued. It is more commonly available from the 20th century and 21st century as bullion coins not intended for circulation use.
The Sovereign is made of 22 karat gold, consisting of 11/12 gold and 1/12 copper, giving a gold content of 0.9167. The coin has a standard weight of 7.98805 grams and given that the fineness is 0.9167, the gold content is 7.323 grams or 0.2354 (Troy) ounces.
The reverse of the coin features a classic design of St George slaying a dragon. This famous design was created by Benedetto Pistrucci, the Italian engraver, and was first used on modern sovereigns in 1817. On each coin, the year of issue is specified underneath the St George illustration.
During the 1800s and early 1900s, The Royal Mint began to open branch mints in various locations within the British Empire where major gold fields were discovered. These branch mints all manufactured gold sovereigns at various times.
Given that Victoria reigned for so long, there were a number of design changes to the Victoria portrait on sovereigns over that period. Sovereigns in the period 1838 to 1887 depict her first portrait and are referred to as Victoria young head coins. From 1887 to 1893, a second portrait was introduced and the coins are known as Victoria Jubilee head, celebrating the Golden Jubilee. Sovereigns from 1893 to 1901 have a third portrait and are known as Victoria old head.
The Britannia Coin Company stock a wide and varied selection of gold coins at low margins over the market 'spot' price. Our coins are manufactured by the various International mints and are all guaranteed as genuine. All investment gold is exempt from VAT and UK coins (such as Sovereigns and Britannias etc.) are also exempt from CGT (Capital Gains Tax).
Commonly called the 'Chief Coin of the World', Gold Sovereigns are instantly recognisable to any collector. Their history and beauty give them an enduring appeal. Crafted from 22 carat gold, VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax exempt, Gold Sovereigns also make a shrewd and reliable investment.
The first Gold Sovereigns were struck in 1489 for King Henry VII. These large and heavy gold coins bore the Tudor rose and were a symbol of royal power and prestige. The first English coin to be valued at one pound, these early Gold Sovereigns were presented to the great and good.
Centuries later, the evocative name was resurrected for a new gold coin, first issued in 1817 by the Royal Mint. The first Modern Gold Sovereign featured a striking motif of George and the Dragon, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, that has been regularly reused on Gold Sovereigns.
Gold Sovereigns quickly became a symbol of the British Empire. They were extensively used in international trade because they were trusted to contain a reliable quantity of pure gold. Called the 'Chief Coin of the World' by some, the long history of Gold Sovereigns gives them a unique appeal.
Gold Sovereigns are still minted today though they are intended for investors and collectors, rather than for circulation. Recent Gold Sovereigns maintain the same specifications as their historic predecessors: 22 carat gold, a diameter of 22.0 millimetres and a total weight of 7.98805 grams.
Gold Sovereigns weigh in at 7.98805 grams, of which 7.32240 grams is pure gold. These coins have a fineness of 916.7, meaning that out of one thousand parts, more than 90% of a Gold Sovereign is gold. The equivalent of 22 carats, Gold Sovereigns are among the world's purest gold coins.
The remaining metal in a Gold Sovereign is copper, which gives them their subtle pinkish hue. Gold Sovereigns are not made entirely from gold because they were not originally bullion coins. Pure gold is soft and ordinary coins made from it would soon wear down as they were handled and exchanged.
In uncertain economic times, gold is the choice of all sensible investors. During the last global recession, while property values fell, the price for gold increased dramatically. If your investment strategy favours long-term reliability, putting a portion of your capital into gold makes sense.
So why invest in coins like Gold Sovereigns, rather than gold bars? Well, the smaller initial outlay is one reason. A single Gold Sovereign will cost hundreds, compared to tens of thousands for one-kilogram gold bar. Gold Sovereigns represent an affordable bullion product for many investors.
Additionally, investors prefer the smaller size of Gold Sovereigns, compared to other gold bullion options. Holding a large number of small units gives you the option of selling portions of your portfolio at your convenience. This level of flexibility is just not possible with other bullion products.
Made with investment-grade gold, Gold Sovereigns are also Value Added Tax (VAT) free in the UK and the European Union. Unlike silver and palladium coins, Gold Sovereigns are not subject to the current 20% standard VAT rate, which is certainly a benefit when you come to sell.
Buying Gold Sovereigns is not just about gold prices and tax exemptions. Many choose to purchase Gold Sovereigns for their historical importance or their artistic merit, as well as the rarity of some examples. Indeed, these factors can also lend Gold Sovereigns value above their weight in gold.
A gold Sovereign weighs in at 7.98805 grams, of which 7.32240 grams (0.25829 ounces or 0.23542 troy ounces) is pure gold. These coins have a fineness of 916.7, the equivalent of 22 carats. This means that out of one thousand parts, 91.67% of a Gold Sovereign is pure gold, the rest is copper. Some older Sovereigns do contain a very small amount of silver.
Gold Sovereigns are a flexible way to invest in the reliable returns offered by gold. With a relatively low price per unit, Gold Sovereigns are affordable for many investors. Gold Sovereigns are also exempt from VAT and Capital Gains Tax which means extra profit when you come to sell.
Gold Sovereigns weigh in at 7.98805 grams, of which 7.32240 grams is pure gold. These coins have a fineness of 916.7, meaning that out of one thousand parts, more than 90% of a Gold Sovereign is gold. The equivalent of 22 carats, gold Sovereigns are among the world's purest gold coins.
A Gold Sovereign has 0.25829 ounces of fine gold content out of a total weight of 0.28177. That's 0.23542 troy ounces of gold or 7.32240 grams. Gold Sovereigns have a fineness of 916.7 or 22 carats, meaning that out of one thousand parts, more than 90% of a Gold Sovereign is pure gold.
Gold Sovereigns are favoured by those looking to diversify their portfolios with the reliability of gold. The low price per unit offers an affordable entry point to gold investment, while the historical significance of gold Sovereigns can mean they achieve sales prices above their bullion value.
Gold Sovereigns are made of 22 carat gold. They have a fineness of 916.7, meaning that out of one thousand parts, 91.67% is pure gold. The remaining 8.33% is copper, except for certain Victorian Sovereigns which also contain a small amount of silver.
Yes. As gold Sovereigns are legal tender in the UK, they are not subject to Capital Gains Tax. This means that when you sell your Gold Sovereign you can pocket the full increase in value. The potential for unlimited tax-free profit makes gold Sovereigns an attractive investment option.
Gold Sovereigns hold a nominal face value of 1, making them legal tender in the UK. However, their actual value is much higher, thanks to their high gold content and the collectability of many issues. Calculate the bullion value of your sovereign by multiplying the current spot rate of gold in Troy Ounces by 0.2354.
The gold Sovereign family now includes a total of 5 coins. The largest is the Quintuple or five-Sovereign piece, followed by the double, full, half and finally the quarter Sovereign. Each year, The Royal Mint release a 5-coin proof Sovereign set for collectors. 041b061a72