Sovereign vs Half Sovereign

[ChrisSilver]

A possible interesting topic for discussion.

Does anyone invest in / collect half sovereigns?

Are those on a smaller budget tempted by the half sovereign, or do you prefer to save and then buy full sovereigns? Or do you simply prefer the size of one or the other?

[Guest]

35 minutes ago, ChrisSilver said:

A possible interesting topic for discussion.

Does anyone invest in / collect half sovereigns?

Are those on a smaller budget tempted by the half sovereign, or do you prefer to save and then buy full sovereigns? Or do you simply prefer the size of one or the other?

I have purchased some half sovereigns to meet my budget, but the premium on them were over 10% at the time. And looking back now, I really should have put that money towards a full sovereign as it would have saved me some money by not paying so much for the premium 😂

I think the interest in half sovereigns is that they can be easily sold for a small amount if you need some money, compared to selling a full sovereign - it’s like the decision between stack coins or bars 🤔

[Norskgeld]

Half sovs as they are more affordable to buy and sell despite the increased premium.

 

[Martlet]

I've taken up 1/2 sov collecting, the added premium not such an issue when paying collector premium anyway.  Also an easy way to separate those in collection, from full sovereigns in stack.

 

[JunkBond]

I have been collecting half sovs for a couple of years now and although I have some full sovs I actually prefer the size of halves.

The older sovs I collect are all London Mint. Some are graded but mostly raw.

So far I have completed Jubilee Head, Edward, George date runs, a Young Head Vic from every decade except the 30's and just waiting to get 1983 to complete QEII 1980 - 97.

Not interested in anything newer than 1997 as I don't like the portraits.

Here is 85-97.

 

[AndrewSL76]

Like @JunkBond I also collect the proof half sovs because I like their size and particularly how they fit into and look in the clear PCGS folders. I do stack bullion sovereigns and occasionally, if the price is right, will buy a graded proof sovereign, but on most occasions it is with a view to short term holding in order to sell and put the profit towards the date run goal. 

[JunkBond]

I forgot. I have a 1937! 😂

[AndrewSL76]

7 minutes ago, JunkBond said:

I forgot. I have a 1937! 😂

 

Holy Moly. How could you forget that!!!!

[Roy]

23 minutes ago, JunkBond said:

Not interested in anything newer than 1997 as I don't like the portraits.

👍

[JunkBond]

3 minutes ago, AndrewSL76 said:

Holy Moly. How could you forget that!!!!

Yeah, I know, It's my jewel in the crown too...

until I get a nice MS grade 1817 in a PCGS holder!

[Seasider]

31 minutes ago, JunkBond said:

Not interested in anything newer than 1997 as I don't like the portraits.

What about the Butler portrait?  It reminds me of the 1985 - 97 one.

[JunkBond]

I have however promised myself some Gillick full sovs when gold is back at £900. 😂

Why didn't they mint any halves? 🤨

[Chorlton]

Tend to go for full sovereigns more as I have an eye to value and price. Having said that I have bought half sovereigns if the price is right and they are of any interest, more for collecting such as 1989 and similar.

[JunkBond]

4 minutes ago, Seasider said:

What about the Butler portrait?  It reminds me of the 1985 - 97 one.

If you have your beer glasses on.

[Tn21]

Im not collecting half sovs but I will buy them at the right price. Infact I have purchased a few of 1stsov. Plan is to keep them and if I need a bit of £ i will just liquidate one or two if need be. 

Given the choice of buying two half sovs for the same price of a full Sov, I would always go for the 2 halfs.  

 

[AppleZippoandMetronome]

I have plenty of both half sovs and full sovs though I'm not a specific collector of anything in particular - just an opportunist of a buyer and when something looks like a good deal I buy it. I stocked up on a lot of bullion half sovs this past December/January. HGM on a number of occasions was doing them for very good prices so when I had the money I bought as many as I could to make it worth while. I think I do prefer the halves for a simple reason - inflation and rising gold prices. Sticker shock is going to be a barrier to entry for many in the future I feel so I think the smaller coins will be easier to shift on when the time comes.

[Seasider]

14 minutes ago, JunkBond said:

If you have your beer glasses on.

That's OK.  I have enough trouble with my normal glasses.

[Roy]

I collect half sovereigns too.

They can be a lot of fun to collect and you can build a collection for not too much outlay, which keeps beginner collectors motivated.

[shawy2510]

Half Sovs for me, I have the odd bullion coin but most are graded. The size is fine for me because I am still young & my eyes are good still

Heres a few examples

 

[wolfiemac]

I have quite a few graded 70 half's and also buy bullion half's, I buy halfs over silver bullion coins.

Good price and sell really fast. 

[Melon]

I don't collect either half or full sovereigns, but I do buy them. Lowest premium wins the day. If premiums are the same, I'll take the half - smaller fractional gold at the same premium % is a better deal IMO. 2% max premium on gold for me. 

[PeterPan]

12 hours ago, Melon said:

I don't collect either half or full sovereigns, but I do buy them. Lowest premium wins the day. If premiums are the same, I'll take the half - smaller fractional gold at the same premium % is a better deal IMO. 2% max premium on gold for me. 

Wow, where are you finding 2% premium at the moment? Or just not buying right now? 

[Melon]

3 hours ago, PeterPan said:

Wow, where are you finding 2% premium at the moment? Or just not buying right now? 

Yea not bought gold in awhile, premiums are quite rough at the moment. 

[OriginalS]

I've only just started buying sovereigns and it's my first time buying gold, but fulls are the perfect size for me to buy one a month.

If I had a good month I may buy a half on top of it

[Sovstacker]

Demand has been and will always be higher for full Sovereigns.

Half Sovereigns do tend to have higher premiums than full.