The Sovereign dates back to the Tudor era, when Henry VII ordered the issue of a large gold coin of 20 shillings. However, the modern Sovereign didn’t come into existence until 1817. The aim was to make the new coin as distinctive as possible; as a result it featured a new reverse design by the Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, showing St George and the dragon.

Experts were soon praising Pistrucci’s design and The Sovereign became one of the world’s most widely recognised coins. In the 200 years since it first appeared, the reverse of The Sovereign has only changed a handful of times.

The Sovereign has its origins in the Tudor era, when a large gold coin of 20 shillings called a Sovereign was first issued during the reign of Henry VII. However, the modern Sovereign was confirmed as currency by Royal Proclamation on 1 July 1817. It featured a new reverse design by Italian engraver and medallist, Benedetto Pistrucci, which depicted St George and the dragon and was deliberately intended to make the coin as distinctive as possible. This beautiful, classic design remains on gold Sovereigns today and is considered to be one of the world’s most widely recognised coins. In 200 years, the reverse has rarely changed, with only a handful of designs appearing on The Sovereign since 1817.

In this unique Collection, that comes with its own Custom Case, are the key Sovereign and Half Sovereigns from 1989, 2002, 2005, 2012, and 2017.