Full, half and quarter Sovereigns
Gold Sovereigns are available in several denominations.
The Full Sovereign is the traditional and most widely recognised version. Smaller Half Sovereigns and Quarter Sovereigns provide a lower individual purchase price and greater divisibility, although smaller coins will generally carry a higher premium relative to their gold content.
Larger Double and Quintuple Sovereigns are also available, with availability depending on the issue and current stock.
When comparing different sizes, consider both the total purchase price and the premium you are paying for each gram of gold.
New or pre-owned gold Sovereigns?
Physical Gold stocks both new and pre-owned Sovereigns.
New Sovereigns allow buyers to purchase the latest Royal Mint issue, while pre-owned coins can sometimes be available at a lower premium.
For investors whose main objective is gold ownership rather than obtaining a particular year or presentation, our Best Value Gold Sovereigns are selected from available pre-owned stock with the emphasis on value rather than a specific monarch or date.
Historical Sovereigns can be different. Certain dates, mint marks, monarchs and variations may have additional numismatic or collectable value above the value of their gold content. + Read more
How much is a gold Sovereign worth?
The underlying value of a Sovereign is primarily determined by the amount of gold it contains and the current gold price.
A full Sovereign contains approximately 7.32g of pure gold. Its market price will normally be the value of that gold plus or minus factors including the coin’s premium, condition, age, rarity and demand.
You can check the underlying live gold price or read our Insights content on Gold Sovereign values for more information about the factors affecting individual coins.
Gold Sovereigns and Capital Gains Tax
One of the main distinctions between Gold Sovereigns and many other forms of physical gold is their UK tax treatment.
Qualifying investment gold is exempt from VAT. In addition, because Sovereigns are British legal-tender coins, gains made on them are exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
This differs from gold bars and many foreign bullion coins, where CGT may be relevant when an investor sells at a gain.
For more information, read our guide to the tax implications of investing in gold and silver.
Gold Sovereigns or gold Britannias?
Both Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias are British legal-tender gold coins and benefit from VAT and CGT exemptions for UK investors.
The principal differences are their size, gold purity, history and premiums.
A full Sovereign contains around 7.32g of pure gold and is made from 22-carat gold, whereas modern Britannias are produced from 999.9 fine 24-carat gold and the standard Britannia contains one troy ounce of gold.
Sovereigns therefore provide a smaller individual unit, while a 1oz Britannia provides considerably more gold in each coin.
Our Insights section provides further information about comparing Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias.
Understanding gold Sovereign premiums
The price of a Sovereign includes the underlying value of its gold plus a premium.
Premiums can vary according to the particular coin, its age, condition, availability and whether it has additional collectable or numismatic value. Smaller denominations can also carry higher premiums relative to their gold content.
For investors primarily focused on physical gold rather than a specific date or design, choosing a lower-premium Sovereign can reduce the amount paid above the underlying gold value.
Our guide to gold coin premiums explains how premiums work and what to consider when comparing coins.
Delivery and secure storage
Gold Sovereigns purchased from Physical Gold can be delivered using our free, fully insured UK delivery service.
Alternatively, customers who would prefer not to keep their coins at home can choose specialist secure vault storage.
Find out more about Gold Sovereign delivery and secure storage.
Why buy Gold Sovereigns from Physical Gold?
Physical Gold is a specialist precious-metals dealer based in London’s Hatton Garden.
We stock a wide range of Sovereigns, from the latest Royal Mint issues to Best Value and historical coins, with prices linked to the underlying gold market and updated throughout the trading day.
Our team can help if you have questions about the different Sovereigns available, premiums or the distinction between bullion and more collectable coins.
For assistance, call 020 7060 9992 or email info@physicalgold.com.
