Owner Comments:
GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD HALF-SOVEREIGN 1914
(Marsh 529; S 4006).
OBVERSE: The bare head of the King facing left. The small letters B.M. for Bertram Mackennal are shown in relief on the lower truncation towards the rear.
REVERSE: St. George mounted with streamer flowing from helmet, slaying the dragon with a sword. Date is shown below the exergue line with the small letters B.P. for Benedetto Pistrucci.
ENGRAVERS: Bertram Mackennal and Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 19.4 mm.
WEIGHT: 3.994 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 7,251,124
RATING: C (M.Marsh).
In 1914 mintage of gold still continued to be high even though World War I commenced during this year. Following the outbreak the Government issued Treasury banknotes to the value of Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns, which were convertible to gold on demand at the Bank of England. However the public were encouraged not to do this, as the gold was no doubt needed elsewhere for purchases of vital supplies from overseas.
PHOTO*
A large queue of people formed at the Bank of England on the eve of the First World War in the summer of 1914 to change their banknotes into gold coins.
* From the book " A HISTORY OF THE SOVEREIGN " by Kevin Clancy.
1914 GOLD HALF-SOVEREIGN MS 66
NGC 3349825-005
Glorious example of this common coin.
Fully struck and fully lustrus with perfect surfaces and bright gold colour, making for outstanding eye appeal.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 10 August 2010.