In the UK, these Sovereigns benefit from tax exemptions, being free from VAT and Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which adds to their appeal. In Europe, the premium is usually 3%-4% above spot, while in the United States, Sovereigns tend to carry one of the lowest premiums among gold coins. Their purity is comparable to that of modern gold coins, such as the 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle (AGE), but with a significantly lower premium. This makes Sovereigns an attractive option for investors looking for fractional gold coins with minimal added costs compared to full 1 oz coins.

The sovereign 1928 is a British gold coin minted at the colonial Australian branch mints in Perth and Melbourne and Pretoria in South Africa. Almost 20 million gold sovereign coins were struck this year. Minted under the reign of Goerges V, the 1929 King George V Large Head Gold Sovereigns, (originally a circulating coin, now a bullion coin) are now VAT free in UK and provided they were minted after 1817 and a legal tender coin, free from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. They also are VAT free in European Union, the sovereigns meeting the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 (special scheme for investment gold).
Mintmark | Mint | Mintage |
M | Melbourne, Australia | 413,208 |
P | Perth, Australia | 1,333,417 |
S.A. | Pretoria, South Africa | 18,235,057 |
Total | 19,981,682 |
1928 represents the last year that the “large head” design was issued, with only 3 mints producing sovereigns being the Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria branches of the Royal Mint. Of a total sovereign production in that year of roughly 20 million coins. Pretoria was responsible for just over 90%. (1928 Pretoria Mint South Africa, Mintage 18,253,057.)
Diameter (mm) | Weight (gr) | Thickness (mm) |
22,05 mm | Gross weight: 7,99 Gr Fine Gold: 7,32 Gr – 0.2354 troy ounce. | 1,52 mm |
Edge and Orientation. | Millesimal fineness. | Composition. |
➣ Reeded / Milled ➣ Medal alignment ↑↑ | 22 carats; 917 ‰ | 91.67% gold and 8.33% Copper. |
Mint and Mintmark | Financial Features | Mintage. |
« The Royal Mint » South Africa and Australia mints. | Type: bullion coin. Production Years: 1817–present. Legal tender in the United Kingdom, value £1 = 20 shillings. | 1928 with 19,981,682 bullion coins. |
Reverse: | Portrait by Edgar Bertram Mackennal. Matte background with matte bust of King George V facing left. Legend GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP Translated from Latin: George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. |
Obverse: | St George on horseback slaying the dragon right; 1928 and B.P. in exergue. |
South Africa George V Gold Sovereign 1928 SA
The British Sovereign with the Pretoria mint mark (‘SA’) is a popular gold coin, especially among collectors and investors. Struck in 1928, this South African George V Sovereign contains just under 1/4 troy oz of gold. It’s important to note that Half-Sovereigns were not minted in 1928. Coins from Pretoria are distinguishable by the tiny ‘SA’ mint mark located just above the date on the reverse side, subtly engraved on the ground beneath the dragon in the depiction of Saint George.


How to grade a Sovereign 1928.
Discerning collectors examining a large Head Georges V sovereign will check various main points when grading this obverse:
- The peaks of the eyebrow and upper cheek;
- The fine detail in his moustache;
- The broad area of hair above the ear & towards the fringe;
- The neck muscle between his ear and the base of his neck.
- Weakness will show in a lack of definition of the hair including beard and moustache;
- The top of the ear which would show a lack of sharpness on a weak strike;
- As always, the rims and fields;
When collectors examine a sovereign with the St George reverse, there are a certain number of points which are examined closely for strike & wear. From top to bottom, they are:
- The crest of St George’s helmet;
- St George’s chest, together with the strap & pin fastening his cloak;
- The bridle as it crosses the horse’s neck;
- The muscle separation in St George’s upper thigh;
- The horse’s forequarters & rump;
- The “bloodline” in the sword;
- The upper band across St George’s boot;
- The dragon’s torso below its neck.