Crossword Genius

Donor of less than a sovereign to Joe (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

giver

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'donor' is the definition.
(I know that donor can be written as giver)

'less than a sovereign to joe' is the wordplay.
'less than' becomes 'v' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a sovereign' becomes 'er' (Abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'joe' becomes 'GI' (GI Joe).
'v'+'er'='ver'
'ver' put after 'gi' is 'GIVER'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for giver that I've seen before include "presenter" , "Bestower" , "Donor" , "Present source" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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