Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 1/2 Sovereign 2022, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III
  • 1/2 Sovereign 2022, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III
Description

The Sovereign has been associated with the British monarchy since 1489, more than five centuries ago. Henry VII demanded a ‘new money of gold’ to demonstrate the wealth and power of the new Tudor dynasty following the Battle of Bosworth, and the coin therefore required a name redolent of majesty and authority.

The half sovereign is a British gold coin with a nominal value of half of one pound sterling. It is half the weight (and has half the gold content) of its counterpart 'full' sovereign coin. The half sovereign was first introduced in 1544 under Henry VIII. After 1604, the issue of half sovereigns, along with sovereigns, was discontinued. In 1817, following a major revision of British coinage, new versions of half sovereigns and sovereigns were introduced. Production of British half sovereigns continued until 1926 and, apart from special issues for coronation years, was not restarted until 1980.

A special edition of The Sovereign struck to honour the remarkable reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which also features the official coinage portrait of His Majesty The King Charles III.

Available in gold and finished to the finest Proof standard, this commemorative range includes individual coins as well as five-coin, four-coin and three-coin sets.

Obverse

Depicts King Charles III’s effigy, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

CHARLES III•DEI•GRA•REX•FID•DEF•
MJ

Reverse

Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the dragon design steps aside for Jody Clark’s skilled portrayal of the Royal Arms.

The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, or the Royal Arms for short, is the official coat of arms of the British monarch. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing the St Edward's Crown, himself on another representation of that crown. The dexter supporter is a likewise crowned English lion; the sinister, a Scottish unicorn. In the greenery below, a thistle, Tudor rose and shamrock are depicted, representing Scotland, England and Ireland respectively. This armorial achievement comprises the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon Droit (God and my Right), which has descended to the present royal family as well as the Garter circlet which surrounds the shield, inscribed with the Order's motto, Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on he who thinks evil).

J.C
DIEU ET MON DROIT
2022

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.91667
Weight 3.99 g
Diameter 19.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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