Older Half Sovereigns are Fabulously Rare

 The half sovereigns on this page represent some of the rarest and most beautiful British coins to have been minted. They are historical artifacts and show the progression of this small gold coin from 1817 when the modern sovereign was introduced with the new coinage of George III right up to the last Victoria proof half sovereign in 1893.

They say all the 1853 proofs were personally given to friends and relatives by Prince Albert. Only 40 half sovereigns were minted and they are about as rare and desirable as half sovereigns get

They say all the 1853 proofs were personally given to friends and relatives by Prince Albert. Only 40 half sovereigns were minted and they are about as rare and desirable as half sovereigns get

This coin is jointly the best graded coin at NGC at the present time.

This coin is jointly the best graded coin at NGC at the present time.

Its not the rarest older half sovereign by any means but it is certainly one of the most desired since it came from the same fabled mint set that contained the Una and the Lion Pattern

Its not the rarest older half sovereign by any means but it is certainly one of the most desired since it came from the same fabled mint set that contained the Una and the Lion Pattern

A very attractive coin in a respectable condition.

A very attractive coin in a respectable condition.

This coin was bought from Sovereign Rarities and was previously in the collection of an older collector for 24 years. Its a fine example of the nicest half sovereign design

This coin was bought from Sovereign Rarities and was previously in the collection of an older collector for 24 years. Its a fine example of the nicest half sovereign design

The shield on the reverse of the 1821 half sovereign is the best of the range ever. Designed by Merlen. The circulation strike and the proof are equally rare.

The shield on the reverse of the 1821 half sovereign is the best of the range ever. Designed by Merlen. The circulation strike and the proof are equally rare.

George 3rd 1817 proof half is exceptionally rare. This one is in an amazing grade and is highly sought after

George 3rd 1817 proof half is exceptionally rare. This one is in an amazing grade and is highly sought after

In 1826 the mint made the half sovereign as part of the very rare proof set of that year George IV coronation year.

In 1826 the mint made the half sovereign as part of the very rare proof set of that year George IV coronation year.

In 1826 the mint added an extra tuft just to the left of the kings ear. The extra tuft version is probably slightly less rare than the with no tuft version.

In 1826 the mint added an extra tuft just to the left of the kings ear. The extra tuft version is probably slightly less rare than the with no tuft version.

William the Sailor king was very popular but his coronation mint set is very rare and desirable. About 150 of these coins were minted in the special mint set and almost none are as good as this one.

William the Sailor king was very popular but his coronation mint set is very rare and desirable. About 150 of these coins were minted in the special mint set and almost none are as good as this one.

The Jubillee portrait for the Jubilee Sovereign and this is possibly the most affordable older proof though on the rise in good condition.

The Jubillee portrait for the Jubilee Sovereign and this is possibly the most affordable older proof though on the rise in good condition.

793 if i remember of these were minted. Its pretty rare yet also relatively affordable though in 64 and above starts to get pretty expensive.

793 if i remember of these were minted. Its pretty rare yet also relatively affordable though in 64 and above starts to get pretty expensive.

This is a "proof of record" proof half sovereign with only a handful of coins known. It was the prelude to the 1826 proof half found in the 1826 year proof set.

This is a "proof of record" proof half sovereign with only a handful of coins known. It was the prelude to the 1826 proof half found in the 1826 year proof set.

This 1824 is rarer than the 1825 though its grade is not quite as high. It is still a beautiful coin and very loved

This 1824 is rarer than the 1825 though its grade is not quite as high. It is still a beautiful coin and very loved

The 1817, 1818 and 1820 halves are very desirable and are very hard to find in this grade. Not unobtainable but still a £1,500 coin these days.

The 1817, 1818 and 1820 halves are very desirable and are very hard to find in this grade. Not unobtainable but still a £1,500 coin these days.

One of the rarest half sovereigns with a very beautiful Merlen designed shield reverse. This one is very pretty but technically details. When there are 15 or 20 of something in the world maybe that does not matter so much.

One of the rarest half sovereigns with a very beautiful Merlen designed shield reverse. This one is very pretty but technically details. When there are 15 or 20 of something in the world maybe that does not matter so much.

This 1825 half sovereign is different from the proof of record and this one is one of the highest graded extant.

This 1825 half sovereign is different from the proof of record and this one is one of the highest graded extant.

In 1821 the masses started to paint their sixpences gold! Lets take a closer look at the 1821 sixpence and the very rare 1821 half sovereign to see why? Ente...