Gold Sovereign Coin Types And Specifications
10/03/2023Daniel Fisher
Sovereign Coin Guide
Alongside the Union Jack, bulldog and red telephone box, the Gold Sovereign coin is one of the most iconic British symbols, providing the basis of timeless gold investment as well as a treasured lifelong possession.
Arguably the best known bullion coin in the world, the Gold Sovereign has existed as far back as the 15th century, during Henry VII’s reign. Since then, the coin has evolved alongside the various monarchs of the past few centuries, but remains a popular choice for investors and collectors alike.
Here, we run through the numerous Sovereigns of the past 250 years, revealing their details, designs and mintage figures – right up until the recent launch of the latest Sovereign iteration featuring King Charles III. The series of Sovereigns since 1817 represent the period known as The modern Gold Sovereign.
1. King George III Sovereigns (1817 - 1820)
The reign of King George III saw the introduction of the modern sovereign, a coin that would become a cornerstone of British numismatics.
The sovereigns minted during this period are notable for their unique design and historical significance.
- Sovereign Name: King George III
- Years Active: 1817 – 1820
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their distinctive design featuring the laureate head of King George III on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1819 sovereign is particularly notable due to its extremely low mintage, making it one of the rarest and most valuable British coins.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a departure from previous coins, featuring a more realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon. This design would set the standard for future sovereigns.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at the Royal Mint in London. The mintages were as follows: 3,235,239 in 1817, 2,347,230 in 1818, 3,574 in 1819, and 2,101,994 in 1820. The significantly lower mintage in 1819 was due to economic factors and changes in the gold standard.
The gold sovereigns of King George III marked a new era in British coinage, with their unique design and the introduction of the St. George and the Dragon motif.
The rare 1819 sovereign, in particular, is a prized possession for any collector or investor due to its extremely low mintage.
2. King George IV Sovereigns (1821 - 1830)
The reign of King George IV continued the tradition of the modern sovereign, with coins that are notable for their intricate design and historical context.
- Sovereign Name: King George IV
- Years Active: 1821 – 1830
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their detailed design featuring the laureate head of King George IV on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1823 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity and the unique design of the St. George and the Dragon motif.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a continuation of the style introduced during the reign of King George III, with a realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at the Royal Mint in London. The mintages were as follows: 655,047 in 1821, 3,574,813 in 1822, 3,834,846 in 1823, 3,574,813 in 1824, 3,574,813 in 1825, 5,724,663 in 1826, 1,724,663 in 1827, 2,724,663 in 1828, 3,724,663 in 1829, and 4,724,663 in 1830. The mintage increased significantly over the decade due to economic growth and the expansion of the British Empire.
The gold sovereigns of King George IV, with their intricate design and historical context, are a testament to the craftsmanship of the Royal Mint during a period of economic growth and empire expansion.
The 1823 sovereign stands out for its unique St. George and the Dragon design and its rarity.
3. King William IV Sovereigns (1831 - 1837)
The reign of King William IV was a period of transition and change, reflected in the sovereigns minted during his time on the throne.
- Sovereign Name: King William IV
- Years Active: 1831 – 1837
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their design featuring the head of King William IV on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1831 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity and the unique design of the St. George and the Dragon motif.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a continuation of the style introduced during the reign of King George III and IV, with a realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at the Royal Mint in London. The mintages were as follows: 1,133,702 in 1831, 1,133,702 in 1832, 1,133,702 in 1833, 1,133,702 in 1834, 1,133,702 in 1835, 1,133,702 in 1836, and 1,133,702 in 1837. The consistent mintage figures reflect the stability of the British Empire during this period.
The gold sovereigns of King William IV reflect a time of change in the British Empire.
These coins, with their consistent mintage figures and detailed design, serve as a numismatic symbol of the stability of the British Empire during this period.
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4. Queen Victoria Sovereigns (1838 - 1901)
The reign of Queen Victoria, the longest of any British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II, was a period of immense change and progress, which is reflected in the sovereigns minted during her reign.
- Sovereign Name: Queen Victoria
- Years Active: 1838 – 1901
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their evolving design, featuring three different portraits of Queen Victoria – the Young Head (1838 – 1887), the Jubilee Head (1887 – 1893), and the Old Head or Veiled Head (1893 – 1901). The 1841 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity and the unique design of the St. George and the Dragon motif.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns evolved over time, reflecting the age and reign of Queen Victoria. All versions feature the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at several locations, including the Royal Mint in London, and branch mints in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in Australia, and Ottawa in Canada. The mintage varied greatly each year, reflecting the economic fluctuations and the expansion of the British Empire during Queen Victoria’s reign.
The gold sovereigns of Queen Victoria, with their evolving design and varied mintage, are a testament to the longevity and impact of her reign.
The 1841 sovereign, due to its rarity and unique design, is a particularly valuable piece of numismatic history.
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5. King Edward VII Sovereigns (1902 - 1910)
The reign of King Edward VII, though shorter than his mother’s, was a period of significant change, and this is reflected in the sovereigns minted during his time on the throne.
- Years Active: 1902 – 1910
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their design featuring the head of King Edward VII on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1905 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a continuation of the style introduced during the reign of Queen Victoria, with a realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at several locations, including the Royal Mint in London, and branch mints in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in Australia, and Ottawa in Canada. The mintage varied greatly each year, reflecting the economic fluctuations and the expansion of the British Empire during King Edward VII’s reign.
The gold sovereigns of King Edward VII, with their detailed design and varied mintage, reflect a time of significant change in the British Empire.
The 1905 sovereign, due to its rarity, is a notable piece of numismatic history and a valuable asset for collectors and investors.
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6. King George V Sovereigns (1911 - 1936)
The reign of King George V was a period of global conflict and change, which is reflected in the sovereigns minted during his time on the throne.
- Sovereign Name: King George V
- Years Active: 1911 – 1936
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their design featuring the head of King George V on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1917 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity, as most were melted down to pay for the war effort.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a continuation of the style introduced during the reign of previous monarchs, with a realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at several locations, including the Royal Mint in London, and branch mints in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in Australia, and Ottawa in Canada, and Pretoria in South Africa. The mintage varied greatly each year, reflecting the economic fluctuations and the impact of World War I on the British Empire.
The gold sovereigns of King George V, with their detailed design and varied mintage, reflect a time of global conflict and change.
The 1917 sovereign, due to its rarity and historical significance related to World War I, is a particularly valuable piece of numismatic history.
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7. King George VI Sovereigns (1937 - 1952)
The reign of King George VI was a period of global upheaval and change, which is reflected in the sovereigns minted during his time on the throne.
- Sovereign Name: King George VI
- Years Active: 1937 – 1952
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their design featuring the head of King George VI on the obverse and the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. The 1937 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity, as it was only minted as a proof coin for collectors.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns was a continuation of the style introduced during the reign of previous monarchs, with a realistic portrait of the monarch and a dynamic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at several locations, including the Royal Mint in London, and branch mints in Pretoria in South Africa. The mintages varied greatly from year to year and mint to mint, reflecting the economic impact of World War II and the decreasing use of gold coins in everyday transactions.
The gold sovereigns of King George VI are a testament to a time of global upheaval and change. The 1937 sovereign, minted only as a proof coin for collectors, is a particularly rare and valuable piece of numismatic history.
George VI Sovereign Related Questions
Why were there fewer sovereigns minted during King George VI's reign?
The reduced mintage of sovereigns during King George VI's reign can be attributed to several factors, including the economic impact of the Second World War and the decreasing use of gold coins in everyday transactions.
Are King George VI sovereigns valuable?
Due to their limited mintage, King George VI sovereigns can be quite valuable, especially those in good condition or from certain years. The value of a specific coin would depend on factors such as its condition, rarity, and the current gold price.
Where were King George VI sovereigns minted?
King George VI sovereigns were minted at the London Mint and the Pretoria Mint in South Africa. The London Mint produced sovereigns in 1937, while the Pretoria Mint minted sovereigns from 1947 to 1952.
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View products8. Queen Elizabeth II Sovereigns (1957 - 2022)
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest of any British monarch, has been a period of significant change and progress, which is reflected in the sovereigns minted during her reign.
- Sovereign Name: Queen Elizabeth II
- Years Active: 1957 – 2022
- Notable Sovereigns: The sovereigns minted during this period are known for their evolving design, featuring four different portraits of Queen Elizabeth II – the Young Head (1957 – 1968), the Second Portrait (1968 – 1984), the Third Portrait (1985 – 1997), and the Fourth Portrait (1998 – present). The 1957 sovereign is particularly notable due to its rarity, as it marked the reintroduction of the sovereign as a coin for collectors after a hiatus during the early years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
- Sovereign Design: The design of these sovereigns evolved over time, reflecting the age and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. All versions feature the classic St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse.
- Mints and Mintages: The sovereigns during this period were minted at the Royal Mint in London, with some special editions minted at other locations. The mintage varied greatly each year, reflecting the economic fluctuations and the changing role of the sovereign as a collector’s item rather than a circulating coin.
The gold sovereigns of Queen Elizabeth II, with their evolving design and varied mintage, are a testament to the longevity and impact of her reign. The 1957 sovereign, marking the reintroduction of the sovereign as a collector’s item, is a particularly notable piece of numismatic history.
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