2026 Gold Half Sovereign Bullion Coin
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Gold has been a trusted store of wealth for thousands of years, valued not only for its beauty but also for its rarity, durability, and universal acceptance. Today, gold bullion remains one of the most popular and accessible ways to preserve and grow wealth, with coins and bars offering investors flexibility in format, size, and price point.
Why Invest in Gold?
- VAT-Free in the UK for investment-grade bullion
- Globally Recognised and easy to trade
- Wealth Preservation during periods of inflation or economic uncertainty
- Portfolio Diversification to balance other investments
- Durability - gold does not tarnish or corrode over time
Gold's intrinsic value and historical stability make it a core component of many investment strategies, whether for long-term holding or as a hedge against market volatility.
Our Gold Bullion Range
Gold Traders offers a comprehensive selection of bullion coins and bars, from fractional sizes suitable for gradual accumulation to substantial weights designed for larger portfolio positions. We stock brand new and carefully authenticated pre-owned gold, giving customers greater choice and often improved value.
All our gold bullion is sourced through trusted supply chains, ensuring every piece meets strict standards for purity and presentation.
The Half Sovereign has been a mainstay of British coinage for more than two centuries, balancing gold content, affordability, and historical charm. Struck by The Royal Mint to the same exacting standards since 1817, each coin contains 3.99 grams of 22 carat gold (3.66g fine) and measures 19.30mm in diameter, precisely half the weight of a full Sovereign.
From an investment perspective, the Half Sovereign's fractional size makes it highly versatile. Investors can add to or sell their holdings in smaller steps. The denomination's status as UK legal tender also means it is exempt from Capital Gains Tax, and as investment gold, it is VAT-free in the UK.
A Coin with Global Reach
Half Sovereigns have travelled far beyond Britain's shores. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, they were produced not only in London but also at branch mints in Australia and South Africa, supporting the needs of global trade. Their consistent gold content and recognisable designs, whether the celebrated St George and the Dragon or the earlier "shield back", ensured they were trusted worldwide.
Although no longer struck for everyday circulation after the 1920s, the Half Sovereign remains popular in bullion and proof form. It has survived political change, fluctuating gold markets, and evolving minting technology, yet its weight, fineness, and dimensions remain unchanged.
Design Evolution
Over the decades, Half Sovereigns have featured a variety of obverse portraits, from George IV to the present-day King Charles III. The reverse is most often Benedetto Pistrucci's dynamic St George motif, but Victorian shield designs, jubilee portraits, and other variations also appear in the series. This blend of consistency and variety adds to the denomination's appeal for both investors and casual collectors.
Coins featuring His Majesty King Charles III mark a new chapter in British numismatic history. From 2022 onwards, The Royal Mint began issuing gold and silver coins bearing the official portrait of King Charles III, making these pieces highly collectable and historically significant.
Coins Bearing the Portrait of King Charles III
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The accession of King Charles III in September 2022 ushered in a new era for the British monarchy and UK coinage. In keeping with long-standing Royal Mint tradition, the monarch's effigy is updated on all newly issued legal tender coins. Coins bearing the image of His Majesty King Charles III are therefore of great historical and cultural importance, representing the first design change to the obverse of British coinage in 70 years.
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The first coins to feature King Charles III entered circulation and bullion markets in late 2022. The official effigy, designed by acclaimed British sculptor Martin Jennings, depicts the King facing left - in keeping with numismatic tradition, which alternates the direction of each new monarch's portrait.
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Coins minted with the portrait of King Charles III span both commemorative and bullion ranges. This includes popular investment coins such as the Gold Sovereign, Gold Britannia, and Silver Britannia, as well as limited-edition releases to mark significant national occasions, such as the Coronation Sovereign issued in 2023.
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These coins are not only legal tender but also form an essential part of British numismatic history. They appeal to both collectors and investors due to their historical importance, high precious metal content, and, in many cases, tax advantages - such as Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption for UK-issued gold legal tender coins.
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At Gold Traders, we offer a wide selection of King Charles III coins sourced directly from The Royal Mint. Whether you're interested in bullion-grade Sovereigns, investment-grade Britannias, or historic commemoratives, each coin is authenticated, securely packaged, and available for fully insured UK delivery or collection from our premises.
Your questions answered
We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions. If there's something we haven't covered, please call us & we'll be happy to help. Read all FAQs.
We have a simple gold hallmark wizard that will help you identify the marks on your gold to determine its carat and age.
Top tip: Unless your eyesight is super sharp, you'll need a magnification tool to view the marks on your gold. Modern smartphone cameras can often assist with this.