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Currency

Britannias or Sovereigns – Which Are The Best Buy?

Author: Ian Davis - Chief Operations Officer

Published: 14 May 2018

Last Updated: 22 Dec 2022

Synopsis

Here, we compare two of the UK's most popular bullion coins: the classic sovereign and the relatively new Britannia.

Britannias or Sovereigns?

Britannias versus Sovereigns – Which Are The Best Value? 

Both Britannias and sovereigns are a great choice for investors looking for high quality, low premium gold coins. They are both classed as investment gold so they are tax-free. As pound sterling coins, they are exempt from capital gains tax, which is an added bonus for investors who are resident in the UK. 

 

Britannia Sovereign
22ct or 24ct gold* 22ct gold 
1 troy ounce 0.2354 troy ounce
CGT Free CGT Free
Low Premiums Low Premiums

 

Britannia Gold Coins

The Britannia was introduced in 1987 as an investment gold coin, which would compete with the Krugerrand and other modern bullion coins. The uncirculated coins are issued as one ounce coins and fractional sizes of half ounce, quarter ounce, tenth ounce. The 1 oz coin is the most competitively priced coin as the fractional weights attract higher premiums. 

Britannia first appeared on coins in Britain over 2,000 years ago. The iconic Britannia with her trident, shield and helmet, symbolises the strength and power of Great Britain and is used to evoke patriotism. Britannia coins feature stunning designs which are an added benefit for the investor.  

Sovereign Gold Coins 

Introduced in 1817, the modern sovereign was issued as a circulation coin with the nominal value of one pound. Benedetto Pistrucci's classic engraving of St George and the Dragon featured on the reverse and continues to appear on sovereigns today. Other reverse designs include the shield, and special edition St George and the Dragon engravings by Timothy Noad and Paul Day. The obverse bears portraits of the various monarchs from the years when the coins were issued, combining investment bullion with numismatic interest.

The sovereign is one of the most long-standing investment coins, not just in the UK but with investors all over the world. Investors in sovereigns enjoy the flexibility of being able to buy smaller gold coins at low premiums. Also, if there is a need to raise funds, the owner can choose to liquidate small amounts of gold rather than having to sell whole ounces of gold.

Proof Coins 

Britannias and sovereigns are also issued in proof finishes. The proof coins are usually sold at a much higher premium than the uncirculated coins, making them more suitable for collectors than investors.   

Which Are The Cheapest Coins? Britannia Or Sovereigns? 

Our Choice secondary market Britannias and sovereigns are always the cheapest option. If you want to buy Britannias or sovereigns, the pre-owned coins are always the best buy for investors wanting to receive more gold for their money. 

Savvy investors snap up Our Choice Secondary Market Britannias which are sold at the lowest of low premiums. These pre-owned coins may be 22ct or 24ct gold but they are not always in stock. Premiums start at 2.7% and as with most bullion coins, the more that you buy, the less you pay per coin 

Our Choice Secondary Market Sovereigns are one of our biggest sellers even though at times you may experience a delay whilst we source coins for orders.

Our Choice Minty Britannias and sovereigns or coins struck in the current year are the next cheapest option. 

Compare The Prices Of Britannias Against Sovereigns 

The easiest way to compare the prices of coins is to look at the premiums :

Best Value Britannia 1 oz Gold Coin - Pre-Owned

1ozbritanniasecondarymarket500-B-1forweb

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
2.3
£1,949.29

Price Per Item:
£1,949.29

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
5
2.25
£9,741.65

Price Per Item:
£1,948.33

Est UK Delivery
£12.00
10
2.2
£19,473.80

Price Per Item:
£1,947.38

Est UK Delivery
£18.00
20
2.15
£38,928.60

Price Per Item:
£1,946.43

Est UK Delivery
£31.00
50
2.1
£97,273.50

Price Per Item:
£1,945.47

Est UK Delivery
£75.00
100
2.05
£194,452.00

Price Per Item:
£1,944.52

Est UK Delivery
£155.60
200
2
£388,714.00

Price Per Item:
£1,943.57

Est UK Delivery
£285.60
500+
1.95
£971,310.00

Price Per Item:
£1,942.62

Est UK Delivery
£688.20

Gold Sovereign Best Value Coin - Secondary Market

ourchoicesecondarymarketsilver500-B-1

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
4.8
£470.07

Price Per Item:
£470.07

Est UK Delivery
£6.00
5
4.75
£2,349.25

Price Per Item:
£469.85

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
10
4.7
£4,696.20

Price Per Item:
£469.62

Est UK Delivery
£9.00
25
4.65
£11,735.00

Price Per Item:
£469.40

Est UK Delivery
£13.00
50
4.6
£23,458.50

Price Per Item:
£469.17

Est UK Delivery
£21.00
100
4.55
£46,895.00

Price Per Item:
£468.95

Est UK Delivery
£37.00
250
4.5
£117,180.00

Price Per Item:
£468.72

Est UK Delivery
£104.60
500
4.4
£234,140.00

Price Per Item:
£468.28

Est UK Delivery
£182.60
1000+
4.3
£467,830.00

Price Per Item:
£467.83

Est UK Delivery
£337.60

Best Value Britannia 1 oz Gold Coin - Minty

1ozbritanniasecondarymarket500-B-1forweb

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
2.4
£1,951.19

Price Per Item:
£1,951.19

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
5
2.35
£9,751.20

Price Per Item:
£1,950.24

Est UK Delivery
£12.00
10
2.3
£19,492.90

Price Per Item:
£1,949.29

Est UK Delivery
£18.00
20
2.25
£38,966.60

Price Per Item:
£1,948.33

Est UK Delivery
£31.00
50
2.2
£97,369.00

Price Per Item:
£1,947.38

Est UK Delivery
£75.00
100
2.15
£194,643.00

Price Per Item:
£1,946.43

Est UK Delivery
£155.60
200
2.1
£389,094.00

Price Per Item:
£1,945.47

Est UK Delivery
£285.60
500+
2.05
£972,260.00

Price Per Item:
£1,944.52

Est UK Delivery
£689.20

Gold Sovereign Bullion Coin - Minty

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
5.3
£472.31

Price Per Item:
£472.31

Est UK Delivery
£6.00
5
5.25
£2,360.45

Price Per Item:
£472.09

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
10
5.2
£4,718.60

Price Per Item:
£471.86

Est UK Delivery
£9.00
25
5.1
£11,785.50

Price Per Item:
£471.42

Est UK Delivery
£13.00
50
5.05
£23,559.50

Price Per Item:
£471.19

Est UK Delivery
£21.00
100
4.9
£47,052.00

Price Per Item:
£470.52

Est UK Delivery
£37.00
250
4.8
£117,517.50

Price Per Item:
£470.07

Est UK Delivery
£104.60
500
4.75
£234,925.00

Price Per Item:
£469.85

Est UK Delivery
£182.60
1000+
4.7
£469,620.00

Price Per Item:
£469.62

Est UK Delivery
£339.60

2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Gold Sovereign Coin

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
12
£502.36

Price Per Item:
£502.36

Est UK Delivery
£6.00
5
11.5
£2,500.60

Price Per Item:
£500.12

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
10
11
£4,978.80

Price Per Item:
£497.88

Est UK Delivery
£9.00
25
10.5
£12,391.00

Price Per Item:
£495.64

Est UK Delivery
£14.00
50+
10
£24,669.50

Price Per Item:
£493.39

Est UK Delivery
£22.00

2022 Britannia 1 oz Gold Bullion Coin

Stock Status - In Stock

Quantity Premium % Total
1
6.9
£2,036.94

Price Per Item:
£2,036.94

Est UK Delivery
£7.00
5
6.5
£10,146.55

Price Per Item:
£2,029.31

Est UK Delivery
£12.00
10
6.3
£20,255.00

Price Per Item:
£2,025.50

Est UK Delivery
£19.00
20
6.1
£40,433.80

Price Per Item:
£2,021.69

Est UK Delivery
£32.00
50
5.9
£100,894.00

Price Per Item:
£2,017.88

Est UK Delivery
£78.00
100
5.7
£201,407.00

Price Per Item:
£2,014.07

Est UK Delivery
£160.60
200+
5.5
£402,052.00

Price Per Item:
£2,010.26

Est UK Delivery
£294.60

How Much Will I Get If I Sell My Gold Britannias or Sovereigns? 

Visit our Sell To Chard page for the live buy back price. It doesn't matter to us whether your coins are new or secondhand, we will pay the same premium to buy them from you.

We have great deals for investors looking to buy investment gold. Our quantity breaks offer even lower premiums and if your order qualifies, we will send you free tubes and monster boxes to protect and store your coins.

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