Gold Sovereigns
Gold sovereigns were once the principle British gold currency. They were first issued in 1489 for Henry VII, generally with a value of one pound sterling or twenty shillings. The name sovereign related to their majestic and impressive size and to the portraiture on the coin. The earliest examples of which showed the king facing, seated on a throne while the reverse shows the Royal coat of arms on a shield surrounded by a Tudor double rose.
Sovereign coins were discontinued after 1604 and were first replaced by unites (so called because of James I uniting England and Scotland), then later by laurels (named after the laurel that the king is portrayed as wearing on his head), and then guineas ( this name came from Guinea in West Africa, where much of the gold used to make the coins originated).
The production of gold sovereign coins recommenced in 1817, with a portrayal of Saint George killing a dragon, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci as the reverse design. This same design is still in use on British gold sovereigns, many different reverse designs have been minted during the reigns of William IV, Victoria, George IV and Elizabeth II.
Up until Word War I, sovereign coins were minted in large quantities until World War I but then the UK came off the Gold Standard. From then until 1932, gold sovereign coins were only produced at branch mints in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Bombay and Pretoria (with the exception of some in 1925 that were produced in London). The last regular issue was in 1932 in Pretoria. In 1957 production recommenced and gold sovereigns were being produced most years as bullion, right up to 1982. From then to 1999, proof only versions were being produced, but since 2000, bullion sovereign coins have been minted once again.
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 EARLY HEAD 1881-S Victoria RARE GOLD ENGLISH SOVEREIGN Latest Price: US $309.00 |
 1856 English gold Sovereign Queen Victoria Shield Back Latest Price: US $358.00 |
 8.0g 1911 Gold Sovereign Coin #29C Latest Price: US $264.77 |
 VINTAGE UNUSUAL 9 CRT GOLD HALF SOVEREIGN MOUNT 8.4 GR Latest Price: US $100.98 |
 Victoria ~ 1887 M ~ 22ct Gold Full Sovereign Coin Latest Price: US $254.86 |
 Victoria ~ 1891 S ~ 22ct Gold Full Sovereign Coin Latest Price: US $254.86 |
 Victoria ~ 1895 M ~ 22ct Gold Full Sovereign Coin Latest Price: US $271.05 |
 2004 GOLD PROOF SOLID 22K HALF SOVEREIGN COIN BOX COA Latest Price: US $137.50 |
 1897 Queen Victoria gold half-sovereign. Latest Price: US $192.50 |
 1904 Gold British Sovereign Bullion Coin 0.2354 AGW Latest Price: US $269.23 |
 EARLY HEAD 1885-M Victoria RARE GOLD ENGLISH SOVEREIGN Latest Price: US $309.00 |
 1927 Gold Sovereign Great Britain George V Coin Latest Price: US $273.02 |
 1927 SOVEREIGN GEORGE V BRITISH GOLD COIN Latest Price: US $278.00 |
 1872 Gold British Sovereign NGC AU 55 Douro Treasure Latest Price: US $270.01 |
 Great Britain 1989 500th Anniversary GOLD Sovereign Latest Price: US $939.99 |
 G. Britain 1871 Gold Sovereign NGC MS 62! Pretty One! Latest Price: US $595.00 |
 G. Britain 1872 Gold Sovereign NGC MS 62! Beauty! Latest Price: US $595.00 |
 1963 GREAT BRITAIN GOLD SOVEREIGN.. GEM BU Latest Price: US $260.05 |
 1964 GREAT BRITAIN GOLD SOVEREIGN.. GEM BU Latest Price: US $268.12 |