Description
Denomination: Gold (22ct) half sovereign
Period: House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha/Windsor
Date: 1916
Origin: Sydney, Australia mint
Condition: Fine+/fine, good edge, hairline marks commensurate with age, a few slightly deeper marks on reverse
Obverse: Bare head of George, left, legend around
Reverse: George and the dragon on ground line, S on ground line for Sydney mint
Size and Weight: 19mm, 4g
References: Spink 4009
Features and Provenance: George V was king of Britain through World War 1, reigning from 1910 to 1936, and saw many changes to the makeup of the Empire. Post war, with anti-German feelings running high, these changes even affected the family name with Windsor now being employed instead of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. His coinage went through changes too, when the silver price skyrocketed, the fineness of the silver coins was dropped from .925 to .500 in 1919/20. Sovereigns and eventually half sovereigns were also only being made at satellite mints in Australia, Canada and South Africa, and our coin is an example of this.
Our coin is dated 1916 a time of sadness and hardship, two of the bloodiest and longest battles were fought this year: Verdun and the Somme. On a slightly happier note, the first successful blood transfusions were carried out; the Sopwith Camel aircraft made its maiden flight and Gustav Holst composed ‘The Planets.’
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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