The sovereign has been struck to the same standard since 1817: 7.988 g of 22-karat gold containing 7.322 g of fine gold. Millions circulated across the British Empire, so scrap buyers see them constantly. Worn or bent examples are usually bought on melt value, while sharp early dates can carry a numismatic premium.
Gold Sovereign FAQ
How much gold is in a Gold Sovereign?
A Gold Sovereign weighs 7.988 g gross at 0.9167 fineness, so it contains 7.322 g of pure gold.
How is the melt value of a Gold Sovereign calculated?
Multiply the fine gold content of 7.322 g by the current spot price per gram in your currency. The calculator above does this with live prices and multiplies by your quantity.
Will a dealer pay melt value for a Gold Sovereign?
Bullion coins usually trade a few percent above melt when buying and slightly below melt when selling back. Expect 90–98% of melt from a specialist dealer and less from a general pawnbroker.
Is a worn Gold Sovereign worth less?
Wear removes a little metal but the loss is usually under one percent, so heavily circulated coins are still bought near melt. Damaged or mounted coins may be discounted for extra refining work.
Should I sell a Gold Sovereign as scrap?
Only if it has no collector premium. Rare dates, proof issues and original packaging can add well above melt value, so check the date and mintmark before melting.
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