THE SHORT ANSWER
A “Sovereign” is one size inside a five-size family
The current family runs from a 2-gram Quarter Sovereign to a 39.9-gram Five-Sovereign Piece. Every listed size uses 916.7-fine, 22-carat gold. Compare gross weight, diameter and fine-gold multiplier separately; a Double Sovereign is not a two-ounce coin.
OFFICIAL SIZE TABLE
Five dimensions, one Sovereign unit system
| Size | Gross weight | Diameter | Fine gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-Sovereign Piece | 39.90 g | 36.00 mm | 1.1770 oz derived |
| Double Sovereign | 15.98 g | 28.40 mm | 0.4708 oz derived |
| Sovereign | 7.98 g | 22.05 mm | 0.2354 oz derived |
| Half Sovereign | 3.99 g | 19.30 mm | 0.1177 oz derived |
| Quarter Sovereign | 2.00 g | 13.50 mm | 0.0588 oz derived |
Fine ounces are proportional calculations from the full Sovereign's 0.2354-ounce reference, not separately quoted Royal Mint values for every row. Rounding means multiplying displayed weight by displayed fineness may not reproduce every last decimal.
COMMON NAME TRAPS
Product multipliers are not troy-ounce labels
About 0.0589 fine oz, not quarter ounce.
About 0.1177 fine oz, not half ounce.
About 0.4708 fine oz, not two ounces.
About 1.1770 fine oz, not five ounces.
BUYER DECISION
Choose unit size from the future sale you may need
Smaller coins reduce the cash required for one unit and allow partial liquidation, but their percentage premium can be higher. Larger pieces concentrate more gold in one transaction and may lower cost per fine ounce, but cannot be split without selling the whole coin.
A smaller size wins when sale flexibility is worth more than its extra spread. A larger size wins when same-time all-in cost and buyback bid produce a materially better round trip. Never assume the dealer repays a fractional premium.
MEASUREMENT
A scale reading only works after exact size identification
A genuine Half Sovereign should not be compared with the 7.98-gram full-Sovereign specification. Record diameter and weight together, use calibrated equipment and the correct year/finish record, and treat a match as screening—not authentication.
METHOD
Data, derivation and limits
- Weights and diameters come from the Royal Mint size table.
- All rows use the published 916.7-fine alloy.
- Fine ounces are calculated as size multiplier × 0.2354.
- No premium, bid, scarcity, mintage or tolerance is assumed.
- Historic and special issues still require their exact product record.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Royal Mint reference records
FAQ
Sovereign size questions
What are the five Gold Sovereign sizes?
The Royal Mint size table lists the Quarter Sovereign, Half Sovereign, Sovereign, Double Sovereign and Five-Sovereign Piece.
How much does a full Sovereign weigh?
The published current weight is 7.98 grams with a 22.05-millimetre diameter. It is 22-carat gold, so gross weight is not pure-gold weight.
How much fine gold is in a Half Sovereign?
Using half of the full Sovereign's 0.2354 fine-ounce reference gives about 0.1177 fine troy ounce. Verify the exact dated product before transaction or measurement.
Is a Double Sovereign two troy ounces?
No. It is twice a full Sovereign, about 0.4708 fine troy ounce by the stated content—not two ounces.
Which Sovereign size has the lowest premium?
There is no permanent answer. Larger pieces may reduce fabrication per fine ounce, while smaller pieces can command higher percentages but support smaller purchases and partial sales. Compare same-time all-in asks and bids.