Buy King Edward Half Sovereign Coins at Jaggards
The King Edward VII Half Sovereign represents an important chapter in British and Commonwealth numismatic history. Minted during Edward’s relatively brief reign from 1901 to 1910, these gold coins combine historical significance with intrinsic precious metal value, making them sought-after pieces for both collectors and investors.
Edward VII came to the throne relatively late in life following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, in 1901. As the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Edward had served as Prince of Wales for nearly 60 years—the longest tenure in that role in British history. His reign, though brief (1901-1910), marked the beginning of a new era known as the Edwardian period.
The half sovereign continued to be an important denomination during Edward’s reign, widely used for everyday transactions throughout the British Empire. These coins circulated across the globe, from Britain to Australia, Canada to South Africa, and India to the Caribbean, serving as a universal currency of the empire.
Design and Appearance
Obverse (Portrait Side)
- Features a bare head portrait of King Edward VII facing rightDesigned by George William De Saulles, whose initials “DeS” appear in relief on the bust truncationSurrounded by the legend “EDWARD VII D G BRITT OMN: REX F:D:IND:IMP” (Edward VII, by the Grace of God, King of all Britain, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India)
Reverse (Tails Side)
- Displays the classic St. George slaying the dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci
- This marked a significant change from the shield design used on Victorian half sovereigns
- Two reverse varieties exist:
- First type (1902-1904): More space between St. George’s cloak and the edge of the coin, no designer’s initials
- Second type (1904-1910): The engraver’s initials “B.P.” appear in the exergue next to the date.
FAQs
What are King Edward Half Sovereign Coins? 
King Edward VII Half Sovereigns were minted from 1902 to 1910, corresponding to Edward’s reign (1901-1910). Although Edward ascended to the throne in January 1901 following Queen Victoria’s death, the first Edward VII coinage wasn’t issued until 1902, as the Royal Mint continued producing Victoria coins through 1901.
Why was Edward VII’s reign so short
Edward VII’s reign was brief because he came to the throne late in life, at age 59, following the extraordinarily long 63-year reign of his mother, Queen Victoria. He ruled for just over 9 years until his death in May 1910 at age 68.
Which mints produced Edward VII Half Sovereigns?
Edward VII Half Sovereigns were primarily produced at the Royal Mint in London, with additional production at the following colonial branch mints:
- Sydney Mint (S mint mark) – 1902, 1903, 1906
- Melbourne Mint (M mint mark) – 1906, 1907
Unlike full sovereigns, no Edward VII Half Sovereigns were produced at the Perth, Ottawa, or Bombay mints.
Can I sell my King Edward Half Sovereign Coins to Jaggards?
Yes, Jaggards may be interested in purchasing King Edward Half Sovereign Coins, as we specialise in rare coin acquisitions. We offer a complimentary evaluation that provides a general assessment of whether your coin has numismatic value. If it does not, we will make you a competitive offer based on the intrinsic metal value for common or circulated coins. Please submit your inquiry using the form provided here.
How can I identify which mint produced my Edward VII Half Sovereign?
Look for small mint marks on the ground line below St. George on the reverse:
- No mint mark indicates London production
- “S” indicates Sydney Mint
- “M” indicates Melbourne Mint
The mint mark appears immediately above the date and is often quite small, requiring careful examination.
