Description
Half Sovereigns are one of the most popular coins for UK investors, as it is exempt from Capital Gains Tax and not subject to VAT. Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 at the age of eighteen, following the death of her uncle, William IV. Her reign lasted 63 years and covered a period of great change in many aspects of industry, science and politics. It was a time of great expansion of the British Empire and Victoria was given the additional title of Empress of India.
Please note: the coin pictured is not the coin you will receive. The coin you purchase will be non date specific and chosen by one of our bullion team. Usual condition is Fine to Very Fine.
The Jubliee head half Sovereign was released in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The occasion was celebrated with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey and a banquet to which fifty members of the European royal families and the governing heads of Britain’s colonies were invited.
The jubilee portrait designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm replaced the earlier young head portrait. As Queen Victoria was 68 years old, the jubilee head portrait was more representative of a mature queen.
The reverse design continued with Benedetto Pistricci’s St. George and the Dragon, but the mintmark is now found on the reverse of the coin, just above the date. The half sovereign actually retained the shield reverse until 1893.
