Sell 1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary of the Gold Sovereign Proof
1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary Sovereign: proof mintage 22,000, Tudor shield reverse, enthroned obverse. Current values £800–£3,200. Authentication & selling guide.
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
Trades at 100–200% premium over gold melt. Realised auction prices (hammer + premium) for proof examples in Royal Mint case/COA consistently £800–1,400 over past five years. Graded PF70 Ultra Cameo examples command £2,500–3,200. BU pack coins £700–1,100. Piedfort proof (mintage 1,000) £2,200–3,500. Quintuple sovereign £5 (mintage 750) £5,500–8,500+.
Physical Authentication Checkpoints
Our specialists verify these exact specifications when appraising your 1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary of the Gold Sovereign Proof:
- Weight: 7.988 g (±0.02 g tolerance)
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Metal: 22-carat gold, non-magnetic, specific gravity ~17.7 g/cm³
- Edge: Milled, no seam, even reeding
- Obverse: Enthroned Elizabeth II in coronation regalia (King Edward's Chair, orb & sceptre) by Bernard Sindall — unique to 1989; gothic lettering ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF
- Reverse: Tudor royal arms shield within ornate Garter, heraldic Tudor roses at four cardinal points; circumscription ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLD SOVEREIGN 1489–1989; designer initials "BS" in exergue
- Die alignment: Medal turn (↑↑)
- Finish: Proof — mirrored fields, frosted devices; no circulation wear on high points (crown, sceptre, shield detail)
Coin Specifications
- Catalogue ID
- GB-1989-SOV-500TH-ANNIV
- Denomination
- Sovereign (£1)
- Issue Year
- 1989
- Rarity Tier
- Key Date Gold
- Mintage
- 22,000 (Proof); 10,535 individual pieces sold of 12,500 issue limit
- Weight
- 7.988 grams
- Metal Composition
- 22-carat gold (91.67% fine, 8.33% copper)
Common Fakes & Variant Confusion
Standard 1989 sovereigns do not exist — only the commemorative issue was struck. Counterfeits are uncommon due to limited mintage but appear on raw coins sold near bullion. Key diagnostics: weight/diameter exactness, "BS" initials on reverse, unique enthroned obverse (not Maklouf portrait), proof finish quality. Graded slabs (PCGS/NGC/CGS) eliminate counterfeit risk for high-value Piedfort and quintuple variants.
Best Ways to Sell Your 1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary of the Gold Sovereign Proof
Compare liquidation routes in the UK, or sell directly to Finacforce with zero auction commission.
UK numismatic auction houses (Spink, Baldwin's, Noonans, London Coins)
Highest realised prices for graded/rare variants; 15–25% buyer's premium + vendor commission; 30–60 day settlement
eBay UK (sold listings filter, PayPal/Managed Payments)
Fast liquidity, global reach; fees ~12.8% + final value fee; scam risk on high-value raw coins — use graded slabs or insured tracked shipping
Specialist dealers (Coincraft, Change Checker, Britannia Coin Company)
Immediate payment, expert authentication; buy prices 10–20% below retail; limited competition on rare variants
Bullion dealers (Atkinsons, BullionByPost, Baird & Co)
Instant sale at near-melt (~£425–450); no numismatic premium recognised; only for impaired/damaged proofs
Related Coins & Valuation Guides
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1841 Victoria Young Head Shield Back Sovereign
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1879 Victoria Young Head St George Sovereign London Mint
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1821 George IV Laureate Head Sovereign
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2017 Piedfort Proof Sovereign 200th Anniversary Garter Reverse
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