Gold Sovereign vs Half Sovereign: What's the Difference?
Owner, Exclusive Coins
They look alike. They are made the same way, in the same gold, with the same designs. But a sovereign and a half sovereign are not the same coin, and the differences matter when you buy, sell or simply try to work out what you have in the drawer.
This guide compares them side by side, so you can tell them apart and understand what each is worth.
The key differences at a glance
- Weight. A sovereign weighs 7.98g and holds about 7.32g of pure gold. A half sovereign weighs 3.99g and holds about 3.66g.
- Diameter. A sovereign is about 22mm across, and a half sovereign about 19.3mm.
- Face value. A sovereign is £1 and a half sovereign is 50p, though both are worth far more for their gold.
- Purity. Both are 22ct (91.67%) gold.
- Gold value. A half sovereign's gold value is roughly half that of a sovereign.
- Rarity. Some dates are scarcer for one denomination than the other, so the date matters for both.
How to tell them apart
If you have only one coin, the easiest tests are size and weight. A half sovereign is noticeably smaller. If you have scales accurate to 0.01g, a reading near 7.98g means a sovereign, and near 3.99g means a half. The designs are similar, so do not rely on the picture alone.
Which is worth more?
A sovereign usually has the higher gold value, because it holds twice the gold. But the date can change this. A scarce half sovereign can be worth more than a common sovereign. In general:
- Common dates: value follows the gold price, so a sovereign is worth about twice a half sovereign.
- Scarce dates and mint marks: the premium can be larger for the half in some years.
- Proofs and graded coins: priced by condition and rarity as well as gold.
For how to work it out, see how much a gold sovereign is worth.
Premium per gram
Because a half sovereign is smaller, dealers often charge a higher premium per gram of gold than for a full sovereign. So a half sovereign can be slightly less efficient to buy for pure gold content. In return, it is a smaller unit, which is useful if you want to buy or sell in smaller amounts.
Which should you buy?
- A sovereign if you want gold content at the lowest premium per gram and the easiest resale.
- A half sovereign if you want smaller units, to spread a purchase, or as a smaller gift.
- Either if you collect and want a specific date or design.
Tax
Both are British legal tender and are generally exempt from Capital Gains Tax. See our selling tax guide. Investment gold is also generally VAT-free to buy. This is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Are two half sovereigns worth the same as a sovereign?
In gold content, yes, because two halves hold about the same gold as one full coin. In price, it depends on the premium and the dates.
Is there a quarter sovereign?
The Royal Mint has produced quarter sovereigns in some years, but they are much less common.
Do they look the same?
The design is similar, with the monarch on the front and St George and the dragon on the reverse for most dates, but the half is smaller.
Selling or buying either
Read the gold sovereign buyer's guide, then sell gold sovereigns or sell half sovereigns with a free valuation. To buy, see our sovereigns and half sovereigns.