In 1914 Britain’s gold coinage was the envy of the world with The Sovereign regarded as the very pinnacle of the standards maintained by The Royal Mint. But as war broke out across Europe, Britain would need gold bullion, a finite resource, to finance the war effort. Within months this world famous gold coin was no longer used in everyday transactions. This ‘Extra Fine’ Half-Sovereign features the coinage portrait of King George V created by Bertram Mackennal, a highly regarded Australian artist and a favourite of the king.