Sovereign coins are gold coins that have been struck by The Royal Mint in the United Kingdom since the reign of Henry VII in the late 15th century. They are some of the oldest and most prestigious coins in the world, and have traditionally been used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Sovereign coins are made of 22-karat gold and are struck to a high standard of quality. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of the reigning monarch, while the reverse depicts St. George slaying a dragon, a design that has remained unchanged since the reign of King George III. Sovereign coins are popular among collectors and investors due to their gold content and historical significance, and are often sought after for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Half Sovereigns
1887 Queen Victoria Gold Half Sovereign Jubilee Head
In the year when Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee was celebrated, a new portrait of her known as the "Jubilee Head" was introduced. This portrait was featured on gold Half Sovereign coins minted in London. The Jubilee Head, designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm, depicted Queen Victoria wearing a delicate lace veil and a small crown. The introduction of this portrait coincided with various other commemorative events, including a banquet, a procession, and the issuance of special medals, all in honor of Queen Victoria's 50 years on the throne.
These coins were struck in the year that a long-awaited new portrait of Queen Victoria was introduced, coinciding with her Golden Jubilee. As well as a new coinage, the Queen celebrated 50 years not he throne with a banquet, a procession and an issue of commemorative medals. The work of Joseph Edgar Boehm, the 'Jubilee Head' shows the Queen wearing a long lacy veil and a small crown. It proved unpopular and was soon removed from English and branch mint coinage. There are several known variations to the artists initials as seen on Victoria's shoulder.
These Half Sovereigns feature the most common 'J.E.B.' variant with a standard J and the letters evenly spread. The reverse of these coins shows a garnished shield bearing the royal arms of the United Kingdom, as displayed during Victoria's reign. This is surmounted by a crown. The date (1887) appears below and the legend around reads 'BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:'. 841,200 Half Sovereigns were struck in London in this calendar year, the lowest annual issue of Half Sovereigns with this portrait. Weight: 3.99 grams. Actual gold weight: 3.66 grams. Diameter: 19.30 millimetres. Minimum grade: VF - Very Fine. References: S 3869, Marsh 478.
Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890) was a renowned 19th-century sculptor and medallist. Notably, he crafted the "Jubilee Head" portrait of Queen Victoria for coins during her Golden Jubilee in 1887. His talent also produced notable statues and busts, leaving a lasting impact on Victorian art and culture.
1957-1986 - In Stock
Elizabeth II Mary Gillick Portrait Gold Sovereigns are a series of gold coins that were struck by The Royal Mint in the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1968. These coins feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, designed by sculptor Mary Gillick. Gillick's portrait shows the Queen facing to the right and wearing a wreath of olive leaves. The reverse of the coin depicts the traditional design of St. George slaying a dragon, which has appeared on British sovereign coins since the reign of King George III. The Elizabeth II Mary Gillick Portrait Gold Sovereigns are made of 22-karat gold and are struck to a high standard of quality. They are popular among collectors and investors due to their gold content and historical significance, and are often sought after for their beauty and craftsmanship.
The back of a 1957-86 sovereign features the traditional design of St. George slaying a dragon, which has appeared on British sovereign coins since the reign of King George III. The design is attributed to Benedetto Pistrucci and shows St. George on horseback, wielding a sword and shield as he slays the dragon. The design is surrounded by a legend that reads "FID DEF" (Defender of the Faith). The design is struck to a high standard of quality and is an enduring symbol of the history and heritage of the United Kingdom. The back of the 1957 sovereign is also inscribed with the year of issue, "1957," and the denomination of the coin, "ONE SOVEREIGN."
The front of a 1957-86 sovereign features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, who was crowned in 1952 and is the current reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. The portrait was designed by sculptor Mary Gillick and shows the Queen facing to the right and wearing a wreath of olive leaves. The portrait is surrounded by a legend that reads "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR" (Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith). The portrait is struck to a high standard of quality and is an enduring symbol of the Queen's reign and the history of the United Kingdom.
Mary Gillick was a British sculptor who is best known for designing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that appeared on British coins from 1957 to 1968. Gillick was born in Nottingham in 1881 and studied at the Nottingham School of Art before enrolling at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. She became a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1922 and was later appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy.
Gillick is best known for her portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which appeared on British coins during the early years of the Queen's reign. Gillick's portrait shows the Queen facing to the right and wearing a wreath of olive leaves. The portrait was widely praised for its simplicity and elegance, and was used on a wide range of British coins, including sovereigns, shillings, and halfpennies. Gillick's portrait of the Queen is an enduring symbol of the Queen's reign and the history of the United Kingdom. Mary Gillick died in 1964.
Why are sovereigns so collectable?
Sovereigns are collectable for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they are made of gold, which is a precious metal that is highly sought after for its rarity, value, and beauty. The gold content of sovereigns, combined with their historical significance and craftsmanship, makes them an attractive choice for collectors and investors.
In addition to their gold content, sovereigns are also collectable due to their historical significance. The sovereign is one of the oldest and most prestigious coins in the world, with a history dating back to the reign of Henry VII in the late 15th century. The sovereign has traditionally been associated with wealth and prosperity, and has been used as a symbol of power and authority by various English monarchs.
Finally, sovereigns are collectable due to their beauty and craftsmanship. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of the reigning monarch, which is often designed by a skilled artist and struck to a high standard of quality. The reverse of the coin features the traditional design of St. George slaying a dragon, which is also struck to a high standard of quality. The combination of these factors makes sovereigns highly collectable and desirable to collectors and investors.
The Sovereign
The Memorial Sovereign 2022
The Royal Mint has released a special edition of The Sovereign coin to commemorate the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II. This limited edition coin also features the official coinage portrait of King Charles III. The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Coin range is available for purchase until 31 December 2022.
Jody Clark’s representation of the Royal Arms adorns the reverse of the coin
Jody Clark is a British artist and engraver who is best known for his work with the Royal Mint. He designed the current effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, which appears on British coinage and stamps, and has also created designs for coins and medals for other countries. His representation of the Royal Arms, which appears on the reverse of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Coin, is a detailed and accurate depiction of the heraldic symbol of the British monarchy. The Royal Arms consists of a shield bearing the emblems of the four countries of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) surrounded by the Garter, a blue ribbon decorated with the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (meaning "Shame on he who thinks evil of it"). The Royal Arms is supported by a lion and a unicorn and is surmounted by the royal crown. It is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the British monarchy and is used on a variety of official documents, buildings, and other government property.
The obverse features the official coinage portrait of His Majesty The King for the first time
The coinage portrait of His Majesty The King refers to the official portrait of King Charles III that appears on British coinage. This portrait was designed by sculptor Martin Jennings and was unveiled in 2022 as part of a new series of coins released by The Royal Mint to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait shows King Charles facing right, following a centuries-old tradition in British coinage in which the new monarch faces the opposite direction of their predecessor. The effigy is surrounded by a legend that reads: 'CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 2 POUNDS · 2022'. This is the first time that a portrait of King Charles III has appeared on British coinage. The coinage portrait of the King is an important symbol of his role as the head of state of the United Kingdom and is used on a variety of official documents, buildings, and other government property.
Why the 2022 Sovereign ?
The Sovereign is a popular choice among collectors due to its size and gold content, as well as the historical significance of the designs that have appeared on the coin over the years. A memorial edition of The Sovereign was released by The Royal Mint to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8 September 2022. This special edition coin features a design that pays tribute to the Queen and her long and influential reign. It is likely that the coin was available for purchase for a limited time, possibly until 31 December 2022, as mentioned in your previous message. The Sovereign is a unique and meaningful way to honor the memory of Queen Elizabeth II and her contributions to the United Kingdom and the world.
