half-sovereign

They possess neither conscience nor sentiment, and they will kill for a half-sovereign, without fear or favour, if they are given but half a chance.

A VISION OF THE NIGHT 2010

He is very severe upon ‘the pampered minion of fortune,’ who refused him the half-sovereign referred to in the enclosure number two — but he knows me better.

Reprinted Pieces 2007

“No expense to be spared,” he murmured, disgorging the half-sovereign.

The Wheels of Chance: a bicycling idyll Herbert George 2006

Once, a lady gave her a half-sovereign, which was a source of great pain and anxiety to Goody Twoshoes.

Roundabout Papers 2006

The mode of distributing the money had been arranged; but the conservative tailor had been too acute, and not a half-sovereign could be passed.

The Duke's Children 2004

“And did the poor old woman get her half-sovereign?”

Phineas Redux 2004

He lit a cigarette, gave me a half-sovereign, and walked off towards Melbourne.

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab 2003

I walked back and placed myself where he had stood, imitated all his movements held the half-sovereign up to my moistened eyes, inspected it on both sides, and began to swear — to swear at the top of my voice, that there was no manner of doubt that what I held in my hand was half-a-sovereign.

Hunger 2003

Might it not just as well be a matter of indifference whether I returned the half-sovereign or not?

Hunger 2003

When he was handing me the half-sovereign, I saw he had a diamond ring on the forefinger of his right hand.

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab 2003