Summary

Gold coin; Denomination: Sovereign
Royal Mint, London
King George III (1760-1820)

The half-sovereign was introduced in 1817 as part of a re-coinage at the end of the Napoleonic wars. From 1816 the silver coins no longer contained their intrinsic value of silver they are therefore termed a "token coinage". The gold content of the sovereign was however retained at full metal value. The half-sovereign was current at 10 shillings.

The coins were struck in the new Royal Mint building on Tower Hill with steam powered presses supplied by Messrs Boulton, Watt and Rennie.

Obverse Description

Laureate head of George III facing right above the date, 1818; around, GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA

Reverse Description

Crowned shield quartered with the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and france with inescutcheon the arms of the electorate of Brunswick and Luneburg surmounted by the Electoral crown; around, REX FID: DEF: BRITANNIARUM

Edge Description

Milled

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