Edward VI Gold Sovereign Coin

The Edward VI “Fine” Gold Sovereign of Thirty Shillings is an exceptionally rare coin, with a current market value of approximately £250,000 for a high-quality specimen. As with most 16th-century coinage, exact mintage figures are not officially recorded, but the coin is believed to have been issued for only a six-month period.

Value and Rarity
This specific Sovereign is distinguished by its high purity (“Fine” gold) and its original 30-shilling face value.
Retail Value: A “Bold Very Fine” specimen has been listed by specialized dealers such as Baldwin’s for £250,000.
Auction Benchmarks: While specific “Fine” Sovereigns of 30 shillings rarely reach the open market, related Edward VI gold coins (like the 20-shilling “Crown” gold half-sovereign) have recently sold for between £7,100 and $22,000 (£17,000+) at auction depending on condition.
Survival Rate: It is estimated that only eight examples of the 30-shilling Fine Gold Sovereign remain in private hands today. At least four others are held in museum collections.

Distinguishing the “Fine” Sovereign
It is important to distinguish this from other Edward VI gold issues:
Fine Sovereign (30 Shillings): Features the king enthroned (obverse) and a large shield on a Tudor rose (reverse). High-purity gold.
Standard Sovereign (20 Shillings): Struck in 22-carat “Crown” gold, typically showing the king as a half-length figure in armour.
Half-Sovereigns: Smaller 10-shilling coins, which are more common but still valuable, often realising between £6,000 and £8,000 in Very Fine condition.