1871 Proof Half Sovereign PCGS PR66DCAM
Today, the Royal Mint issues new proof coins almost every month, but during Victoria’s reign, commercial proof coin issues were far and few between. An even rarer occurrence was the minting of VIP proof coins; these exclusive coins were made to order in minimal quantities and struck to the highest proof standards. The present coin, photographed here, is one of those coins. Rare in any grade, this 1871 proof half sovereign, bearing die number 1, is in superlative condition, and one of the few to appear on the market in the last decade. In fact, a quick check of our records indicates that just two coins have been exhumed and offered to the market since 2012. The coin on offer here is the single-finest graded by PCGS and NGC (7/24), and is the plate coin in the Wilson and Rasmussen standard reference, *English Pattern, Trial and Proof Coins in Gold*. If you’re a serious collector of important British rarities, or just a casual accumulator seeking to add a unique and pedigreed coin to your collection, this is your coin. Professional Coin Grading Service is the global leader in coin authentication and grading. With over 60 million coins graded and counting, PCGS is trusted by collectors, dealers, and investors to certify authenticity, protect value, and elevate market confidence. This is a direct conversion of the 70-point PCGS grade to a 10-point scale, intended to present the grade in a more intuitive format for newer collectors. It is not our personal opinion or an attempt at regrading the coin to a different standard. To understand how the 70-point scale converts to a 10-point scale, [click here](https://drakesterling.com/en/page/the-ten-point-coin-grading-scale).