George V Half-Sovereign Coins (1910-1936)
Half-sovereign coins are 22-carat gold coins that are the equivalent of half a British pound. They are made from 3.65g of fine gold and have been minted as commemorative coins throughout history.
While half-sovereign coins are legal tender with a stated face value, their true value is much higher as they are a type of bullion coin so the price fluctuates based on the current price of gold.
These highly sought after coins were first introduced by King Henry VII in 1544, and production has been discontinued and resumed by subsequent monarchs ever since. During King George V's reign from 1910 to 1936, several half-sovereign coins were minted, most notably in the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1925 and 1926.
Just one George V half-sovereign design was released in the early part of King George V's reign and features a portrait by Bertram MacKenna on one side and an image of St. George and the Dragon on the other. Designed by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, this iconic George and the Dragon design has featured heavily on sovereign denomination coins and is still used along with other designs to this day.
The second George V half-sovereign design was first minted in 1928 and is believed to feature the same portrait of King George V, but with a smaller head. Whichever design you prefer you'll find dozens of George V half-sovereign coins to choose from.
Rather than being sold in batches or job lots, George V half-sovereign coins are typically sold individually, either loose or in special presentation boxes.
In addition to George V half-sovereign coins themselves, you can also find fine jewellery items such as sovereign rings and bracelets that have had George V half-sovereign coins incorporated into their design.
