Recently acquired this AU but harshly cleaned half sovereign. They are not cheap but are rated R6 with only 10-15 known examples and I've not seen many of these sold recently. Does anyone have any additional information on these?
Looks like the 1 and 8 have been struck twice. Makes it even more rare. I've been concentrating on unusual coins, overstrikes etc. lately.
I think it is rare because the number minted is unknown. See how Heritage describes a similar coin: https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-brit...ly-rare-almost-never-seen-fine-/a/397-13673.s
More have gradually been trickling to "the surface" but still a very scarce coin. Because they are usually (xpt. the Sharps-Pixley Terner specimen) are worn and in the F-VF range. I have one with a plugged hole that is not pretty! So these are rare, just not generating large auction $$ in lesser condition. I would rate top 1845 half sovs. similarly or even more rare despite it having been known for longer....
Yes. That was back in 2006. They sold an MS65 in 2016 for $18k. I thought a very decent price but it would probably do better in a high quality UK auction.
That is the full sovereign. The half sovereign is a totally different kettle of fish. An R6 vs a common issue.
