This is one of my most prized coins its a 1914 gold half sovereign minted in Sydney these coins were minted in Melbourne and Perth as well. Despite the relatively high proportion of surviving coins in AU or better grade, in recent times they have become difficult to acquire in true mint state grade, and beyond that very difficult, often being the victim of harsh cleaning or jewellery mounting. The George V half sovereign series (1911-1918) was the sixth and final half sovereign series to be struck at Australian mints. The obverse, designed by Sir Edgar Bertram Mac Kennal, features the uncrowned bust of King George V facing left. The designer's initials, B.M., appear on the truncation of the bust.
This coin has a mintage around 322000 mark and is called a first year war sovereign as it was minted the year the first world war began and finished being made the same year the war ended, the mints each stamp a letter under the horse with a P S or M used for the mint it was made in. These coins are just increasing in price when I first bought this coin I paid only 400 dollars Australian and now in good condition (like This one) can fetch up near the 800 - 1000 dollar mark depending on grade.
