Sell 1821 George IV Laureate Head Sovereign
1821 George IV first-year laureate sovereign: mintage 9.4M, values £1,200–£8,500+, authentication guide, auction results.
Typical UK collector & dealer range for circulated examples
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Zero seller fees. Insured UK courier or private London & Manchester appointment.
Market Valuation & Pricing Notes
First-year laureate head issue; garter removed from reverse in 1821. Circulated VF–EF examples typically realise £1,200–£2,500 at auction (Noonans, Spink, Baldwin's). High-grade uncirculated (MS62+) commands £5,000–£8,500. Proof strikes are exceptionally rare (mintage unknown, likely <20), realising £10,000+. Bullion melt value ~£480 at £2,300/oz gold. Jewellery mounts (solder removal) reduce value 30–50%.
Physical Authentication Checkpoints
Our specialists verify these exact specifications when appraising your 1821 George IV Laureate Head Sovereign:
- Weight: 7.98–7.99 g (tolerance ±0.02 g)
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Edge: Milled (reeded), no lettering
- Obverse: Laureate head left, GEORGIUS IIII D:G:BRITANNIAR:REX F:D:, B.P. (Pistrucci) below truncation
- Reverse: St George slaying dragon, date 1821 in exergue, B.P. to right of exergue line; garter absent (removed 1821)
- Die alignment: Medal turn (↑↑)
- Specific gravity: ~17.6 (22 ct gold)
- No WWP (William Wellesley Pole) initials on truncation
Coin Specifications
- Catalogue ID
- 1821-gb-sovereign-george-iv-laureate
- Denomination
- Sovereign
- Issue Year
- 1821
- Rarity Tier
- Key Date Gold
- Mintage
- 9,405,114
- Weight
- 7.988 grams
- Metal Composition
- 22-carat gold (91.67% fine, 8.33% copper)
Common Fakes & Variant Confusion
Modern bullion sovereigns (post-1871) with St George reverse but different portraits (Young Head, Jubilee, Old Head). 1821 Half Sovereign shares obverse but has crowned shield reverse. Electrotype copies show seam at edge and incorrect weight. Gold-plated base-metal counterfeits fail specific-gravity test. Solder-mount damage (jewellery removal) common on this era – check for filed/smoothed edge and residual solder at 12/6 o'clock.
Best Ways to Sell Your 1821 George IV Laureate Head Sovereign
Compare liquidation routes in the UK, or sell directly to Finacforce with zero auction commission.
Specialist numismatic dealers (Baldwin's, Spink, Noonans, A.H. Baldwin)
Expert authentication, immediate payment, 5–10% below retail; best for graded/uncirculated pieces
Major UK coin auctions (Noonans, Spink, DNW, London Coins)
Competitive bidding for high-grade examples; 15–20% buyer's premium + vendor commission; 60–90 day settlement
eBay UK (with NGC/PCGS slab or dealer guarantee)
Global reach, faster sale; fees ~12.8% + PayPal; risk of disputes on raw coins; require clear photos of edge, fields, and weight
Bullion dealers (Chards, Atkinsons, Gold.co.uk)
Instant payment at melt + small premium (~£550–£650); only for damaged/low-grade coins; no numismatic premium
UK coin fairs (London Coinex, Birmingham, Blackpool)
Face-to-face negotiation, no shipping risk; limited buyer pool for high-value gold; cash transactions >£10k require ID
Related Coins & Valuation Guides
1917 George V London Mint Sovereign
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1926 George V Melbourne Mint Sovereign
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1841 Victoria Young Head Shield Back Sovereign
22-carat gold (91.67% Au, 8.33% Cu)
1879 Victoria Young Head St George Sovereign London Mint
22-carat crown gold (91.67% Au, 8.33% Cu)
1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary of the Gold Sovereign Proof
22-carat gold (91.67% fine, 8.33% copper)
2017 Piedfort Proof Sovereign 200th Anniversary Garter Reverse
22 Carat Gold (916.7/1000 fine)