British gold · Storage guide
Best storage options for the Gold Sovereign
The gold sovereign has been struck since 1817 and remains one of the most collected British coins. A full sovereign measures 22.05 mm, the half sovereign 19.30 mm. Both sit neatly in a direct fit capsule sized to the coin, or a black ring capsule if you prefer a framed presentation.
Full Sovereign (22.05 mm)
Half Sovereign (19.30 mm)
Gold Sovereign specifications, designs and mintages
Every figure links to its source. Primary sources are mint publications and Freedom of Information responses. Secondary sources are Wikipedia, catalogues and dealers, used only where no primary figure is published. Where sources disagree we show both.
Specifications and the capsule that fits
| Size | Years | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Fineness | Capsule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter (25p) | Modern issues | 13.50 mm | — | 2 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | Use the finder | [1][2][3] Royal Mint pages give 2g and 1.99g. BullionByPost gives thickness as under 1mm. |
| Half (50p) | All | 19.30 mm | 1.02 mm | 3.99 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | A-19 black ring | [1][3] BullionByPost gives 19.33mm. Too large to seat in the A-19 direct fit, so frame it in the A-19 black ring. |
| Full (£1) | 1817 onwards | 22.05 mm | 1.52 mm | 7.98 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | A-22 direct fitAir-Tite list a 22mm black ring, but we use this direct fit for our own Sovereigns and it holds them securely. [4] | [1][3][5] 7.3224g of pure gold. |
| Double (£2) | All | 28.40 mm | 2 mm | 15.98 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | Use the finder | [1][2][3] Royal Mint pages give 15.98g and 15.96g. |
| Five-sovereign (£5) | All | 36.00 mm | 3 mm | 39.9 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | Use the finder | [1][2][3] Royal Mint pages give 36.00mm and 36.02mm, 39.9g and 39.94g. BullionByPost's 38.61mm diameter disagrees with both. |
| Piedfort | 2017 onwards | 22.05 mm | — | 15.96 g | 916.7 (22 carat) | Use the finder | [6] Twice the weight and thickness of a full Sovereign at the same diameter. |
Designs
| Year | Design | Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1817 | St George and the dragon | Benedetto Pistrucci | [7] |
Key facts and key dates
- Sovereigns have been struck in 22 carat (916.7) gold since the coin was reintroduced in 1817. [5]
- From 1983 to 1997 Sovereigns of all sizes were issued in proof only. [8]
- The 1918 Bombay Sovereign carries an I mint mark and was struck from August 1918 to April 1919. [9]
- In February 2013 a five-year licence was announced for MMTC-PAMP in India to strike Sovereigns. [9]
- Piedfort Sovereigns, at double thickness, were first issued in 2017. [6]
Download this data as a spreadsheet: gold-sovereign.csv
Sources
- The Royal Mint: Sovereign sizes and weights Primary
- The Royal Mint: How much is a gold bullion Sovereign worth? Primary
- BullionByPost: gold Sovereign dimensions Secondary
- Air-Tite: official coin size guide (manufacturer fit chart) Primary
- BullionByPost: what is the weight of a gold Sovereign? Secondary
- Britannia Coin Company: Piedfort Sovereigns Secondary
- Wikipedia: Sovereign (British coin) Secondary
- BullionByPost: Sovereign mintages Secondary
- Wikipedia: Bombay Mint sovereign Secondary
- Royal Mint FOI response: bullion mintages (27 May 2022) Primary
- Britannia Coin Company: proof Sovereign mintage figures Secondary
Frequently asked questions
What size capsule fits the Gold Sovereign?
The Gold Sovereign comes in these sizes and matching capsules: Full Sovereign (22.05 mm); Half Sovereign (19.30 mm). Match the capsule’s inside diameter to your coin.
What is the best way to store a Gold Sovereign?
Sovereigns are 22 carat and relatively soft, so a snug capsule that keeps the surface away from fingers and air is the single best thing you can do for long-term condition. A PVC-free acrylic capsule, either direct fit or black ring, protects the coin from handling, dust and air.
Want the story behind this coin? Read the full history of the Gold Sovereign.
Still measuring up? Try the capsule finder to match your coin in a couple of clicks, browse the coin size guide by diameter, or filter the full capsule range by size and holder type. Buy 20 of any capsule and a matching storage tube is added free.
Browse more guides on the storage guides index.