1/2 Sovereign - George V

The George V half sovereign series opened in 1911 with a coronation-year issue struck at London, Ottawa, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Pretoria simultaneously — a production spread across six mints on four continents that reflected the practical demands of a gold standard empire. By 1915, with wartime gold hoarding accelerating and the Treasury actively discouraging gold circulation, production effectively ceased. The London mint struck no half sovereigns after 1915, and the denomination never returned to regular circulation in Britain.

The 1915 London issue is the final year for this mint, and examples genuinely worn from circulation are notably scarce — most were removed from use before they could accumulate significant contact.