22ct Gold – The Complete Guide to 916 Gold, Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, Hallmarks & 22 Carat Gold Values

22ct gold is one of the purest and most valuable forms of gold commonly found in jewellery, investment coins, and bullion products. Containing 91.6% pure gold, 22ct gold is highly sought after by investors, collectors, jewellers, and gold buyers alike. Whether you own a 22ct gold ring, inherited jewellery, a collection of Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, or a complete gold pack, understanding the value of 22ct gold can help you maximise your return when selling.

At 888 Bullion, we specialise in buying 22ct gold jewellery, scrap gold, gold coins, Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, bullion coins, gold watches, inherited collections, and investment gold. Whether you're selling a single 22ct gold ring or an entire portfolio of gold coins, our team can help you understand the value of your assets and provide a professional valuation.

Shop Our 22ct Gold Coins

Browse our current selection of 22ct gold coins and bullion available to buy:

What Is 22ct Gold?

22ct gold, also known as 22 Carat Gold or 916 Gold, contains 91.6% pure gold and 8.4% alloy metals (typically copper, silver, and zinc). These additional metals improve durability while maintaining a very high gold content. Unlike 24ct gold, which is almost pure gold, 22ct gold offers a balance between purity, strength, wearability, and investment value. For a full explanation of gold purity and carats, see our Understanding Gold Purity guide.

Because it contains such a high percentage of gold, 22ct gold is commonly used in Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, investment coins, traditional jewellery, wedding jewellery, and high-value gold items.

What Does 916 Mean on Gold?

The hallmark most commonly associated with 22ct gold is 916, meaning 916 parts per thousand pure gold — equivalent to 91.6% pure gold. You may also find: 22K, 22KT, 22CT, 22 CARAT. The 916 hallmark is one of the most respected hallmarks in the precious metals industry. For a full guide to UK hallmarks, see our British Hallmark Guide | Gold & Silver Hallmarks Explained. You can also verify authenticity using our XRF Metal Testing service.

Is 22ct Gold Real Gold?

Yes. 22ct gold is considered genuine high-purity gold and contains significantly more gold than 8ct gold, 9ct gold, 10ct gold, 14ct gold, and 18ct gold. This makes 22ct gold one of the most valuable forms of gold commonly encountered by jewellery owners and investors.

Why Is 22ct Gold So Valuable?

22ct gold commands strong prices because of its high gold content (91.6% pure gold), strong global demand across the UK, India, Middle East, Asia, and Europe, investment appeal through products like Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias, and international recognition of the 916 hallmark. Read more in our guides: Is Gold a Good Hedge Against Inflation? and What Happens to Gold During a Recession?

The History of 22ct Gold

Gold has been valued for thousands of years. Ancient civilisations including the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and Persians used gold for jewellery, currency, wealth storage, and religious artefacts. As gold coinage developed, high-purity gold became increasingly important. 22ct gold emerged as an ideal solution, offering exceptional gold content, improved durability, reliable coin production, and consistent purity standards. Read our full History of 22ct Gold guide for more. For broader context, see The History of Gold as Money.

The History of the Gold Sovereign

Few gold coins are more iconic than the Gold Sovereign. First introduced in 1489, the Sovereign became one of Britain's most important gold coins. Modern Sovereigns were reintroduced in 1817 under the Great Recoinage. Since then, Gold Sovereigns have become one of the most collected and traded gold coins in the world. A Gold Sovereign contains 22ct gold (91.6% purity) and carries strong historic investment appeal. Browse our current Gold Sovereign coins:

For guidance on CGT-free status, see our CGT-Free Gold Coins in the UK: A Complete Guide for Investors.

Understanding Gold Britannias

The Gold Britannia was introduced by the Royal Mint in 1987 and quickly became one of Britain's leading bullion coins. Gold Britannias are highly sought after by investors, collectors, and bullion buyers. For many years, Gold Britannias were struck in 22ct gold, making them directly relevant to anyone researching 22ct gold values. Modern Britannias are now produced in 24ct gold, but older 22ct Gold Britannias remain extremely popular. Browse our current Britannia coins:

Gold Bullion and Investment Gold

Many investors choose 22ct gold because of its long association with bullion ownership. Common bullion products include Gold Sovereigns, Half Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, and historic British coins. Browse our full gold bullion range:

For guidance on choosing between new and pre-owned bullion, see our guide: New vs Pre-Owned Bullion: Which Should You Buy? For gold bar sizing, see Gold Bars by Size: Which Should You Buy?

International Gold Hallmarks Guide

Understanding hallmarks is useful when assessing jewellery and coins. See our full British Hallmark Guide for a complete breakdown.

Gold Type Hallmark Gold Content
8ct Gold 333 33.3%
9ct Gold 375 37.5%
10ct Gold 417 41.7%
14ct Gold 585 58.5%
18ct Gold 750 75%
22ct Gold 916 91.6%
24ct Gold 999 99.9%

How Much Is 22ct Gold Worth?

The value of 22ct gold depends on gold purity (91.6% pure gold), weight (the heavier the item, the more gold it contains), the gold spot price (changes continuously in response to investor demand, economic conditions, inflation, currency markets, and central bank activity), and market demand for Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, bullion coins, and gold jewellery. For context on timing, read our guide: Best Time to Sell Gold in the UK.

22ct Gold Price Per Gram

"22ct gold price per gram" is one of the highest-volume searches related to gold. The price changes constantly because gold is traded globally. Factors affecting it include the gold spot price, inflation, economic uncertainty, currency markets, global demand, and central bank activity. Read more: Is Gold a Good Hedge Against Inflation? and What Happens to Gold During a Recession?

Gold Sovereign Value

Gold Sovereigns remain among the most popular gold coins ever produced. Factors influencing Gold Sovereign values include gold content (22ct), condition (some coins command collector premiums), year of issue (rare dates may be worth more), market demand, and bullion prices. Gold Sovereigns combine investment gold, historical significance (over 200 years of history), global recognition, liquidity, and potential CGT-free status. See our guide: CGT-Free Gold Coins in the UK and Best Gold Coins for UK Investors (2026 Guide).

888 Bullion purchases Full Gold Sovereigns, Half Sovereigns, Double Sovereigns, Victorian Sovereigns, Edwardian Sovereigns, George V Sovereigns, and Elizabeth II Sovereigns. Browse available coins:

Gold Britannia Value

Gold Britannias remain one of the most respected bullion coins in the world. Factors affecting Britannia values include gold content, coin weight, bullion market prices, investor demand, and edition or rarity. Gold Britannias offer Royal Mint heritage, global recognition, investment appeal, direct gold exposure, and strong liquidity. Browse our Britannia coins:

Gold Calculator – Estimate Your 22ct Gold Value

The 888 Bullion Gold Calculator allows customers to estimate the value of 22ct gold jewellery, Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, scrap gold, and gold packs. It considers purity, weight, and current gold prices to provide instant estimates, transparency, easy comparisons, and convenient home valuations.

Scrap 22ct Gold Value

Many people believe damaged jewellery is worthless — this is one of the biggest misconceptions in the gold market. Because value is primarily linked to gold content, scrap 22ct gold often retains significant worth. Broken chains, damaged bracelets, bent rings, missing stones, and worn jewellery all retain value. You can verify gold purity using our XRF Metal Testing service, or read our guide on How to Verify a Gold Coin Is Genuine. Also see: Common Bullion Scams and How to Avoid Them.

What 22ct Gold Items Do We Buy?

888 Bullion purchases a wide range of 22ct gold items. See our dedicated page: What 22ct Gold Do We Buy?

We buy Gold Sovereigns (full, half, double, Victorian, Edwardian, George V, Elizabeth II), Gold Britannias (22ct, fractional, proof, investment), gold bullion coins, historic British coins, wedding rings, signet rings, dress rings, traditional rings, chains (rope, curb, box, belcher), necklaces (traditional, designer, vintage, inherited), bracelets, gold bangles, earrings (hoops, studs, drops), gold watches (vintage, pocket, bracelet, luxury), designer jewellery, vintage jewellery, estate jewellery, inherited collections, scrap gold, and complete gold packs.

Why Sell Your 22ct Gold to 888 Bullion?

At 888 Bullion, we provide competitive gold prices linked to live market conditions, professional service from our Hatton Garden base in London, transparent valuations, secure transactions, and industry expertise in both jewellery and bullion markets. Whether you are selling one item or an entire gold pack, our team is here to help. Also see: Hatton Garden Gold Dealers: What to Look for When Buying Bullion.

Further Reading

Explore our full Learning Hub for more guides on gold investing, selling, and valuation:

Frequently Asked Questions About 22ct Gold

What Is 22ct Gold?

22ct gold contains 91.6% pure gold. See our Understanding Gold Purity guide for more.

What Does 916 Mean on Gold?

916 indicates 91.6% gold content. See our British Hallmark Guide for more.

Is 22ct Gold Real Gold?

Yes.

Is 916 Gold Valuable?

Yes. 916 gold contains a very high percentage of pure gold.

How Much Is 22ct Gold Worth Per Gram?

The 22ct gold price per gram changes daily based on live market conditions.

Can I Sell Scrap 22ct Gold?

Absolutely. See our XRF Metal Testing service for purity verification.

Do You Buy Gold Sovereigns?

Yes — full, half, double, and historic Sovereigns. Browse our Gold Sovereign coins.

Do You Buy Gold Britannias?

Yes. See our Gold Britannia coins.

Do You Buy Gold Bullion?

Yes. Browse our gold bars and gold coins.

What Is a Gold Pack?

A collection of gold items sold together. Visit our Gold Pack page. See also: Gold Pack Terms & Conditions.

Why Are Gold Sovereigns Valuable?

Because they contain 22ct gold and are highly recognised globally. See our CGT-Free Gold Coins guide.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Gold?

Many people choose to sell during periods of strong gold prices. Read our guide: Best Time to Sell Gold in the UK.

Where Can I Sell Gold in London?

Visit our Hatton Garden Gold Buyers page.

Where Can I Sell Gold in Surrey?

Visit our Sell Gold & Silver Surrey page.

Sell Your 22ct Gold, Gold Sovereigns & Gold Britannias Today

From understanding 916 gold hallmarks and 22ct gold purity to checking the latest 22ct gold price per gram, valuing Gold Sovereigns, assessing Gold Britannias, calculating gold coin values, and evaluating a gold pack, this guide has covered everything you need to know about 22ct gold.

Whether you own jewellery, bullion coins, inherited collections, scrap gold, Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, or investment gold, your assets could be worth more than you think.

At 888 Bullion, we help customers unlock the value of their gold through expert valuations, transparent pricing, and professional service from our Hatton Garden base in London.

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