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# Tiny coin fetches a big price at auction
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/tiny-rare-coin-fetches-a-big-price-at-auction/
- Published: 2025-04-29T06:07:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-28T16:06:34.000Z
- Description: A rare – and tiny – early Victorian coin has sold at auction in Lichfield for a “phenomenal” £1,600.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:49, News

A RARE – and tiny – early Victorian coin has sold at auction in Lichfield for a “phenomenal” £1,600.

Measuring less than 1mm thick and with a diameter of just 19.3mm, the 1838 gold half sovereign was issued during the reign of Queen Victoria.

It bears the first and smallest young portrait of the queen with a garnished shield on the reverse.

The coin was initially taken in to a valuation event at The Auction Cafe on Market Street in Lichfield before going under the hammer this month.

Specialist Phil Bridge said:

> “A huge amount of coins were lost due to being scrapped for bullion when gold prices started to escalate in 2011.  
>  
> “We expected this example to perform well at auction but its rarity combined with it being in very good condition attracted lots of interest at auction and it made £1,600.  
>  
> “A phenomenal amount of money for a half sovereign coin.  
>  
> “I’m looking forward to discovering more treasures out there at my next valuations.”

Also recently valued at The Auction Cafe was a UK 1980 gold proof four coin set with certificate of authenticity from the Royal Mint.

It fetched £4,000 in a sale at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

Free valuations of coins and banknotes will be offered at The Auction Cafe from 10am to 12.30pm on 7th May.