History of the Gold Sovereign: From Henry VII to Elizabeth II

The golden Sovereign is one of the oldest coins in British monetary historyIts origin dates back to 1489, during the reign ofHenry VIIwho wanted to impose the image of a Powerful England and sovereign on the international stage.

Originally, this coin had no face value but represented a a guarantee of prestige and influenceOver the centuries, it has evolved, particularly under Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Victoriabecoming a true international exchange standard.

1817 marks a major turning pointwhen the gold sovereign is reintroduced under george iii, as part of the British monetary reform. It then becomes the gold standard currency of the British Empireserving as a unit of exchange worldwide.

However, with the abandonment of the gold standard in 1914The Sovereign is no longer in circulation. However, it remains minted to meet the needs of international trade and collectors.

In 1957, the Royal Mint decided to resume striking the Gold Sovereign with the portrait of Elizabeth II, thus continuing a tradition that was more than five centuries old.

Gold Sovereign Elizabeth II: Splendor and Power of a Kingdom

As part of the wide selection of gold coins available for precious metals investment, the Gold Sovereign is a very popular coin in the United Kingdom. This investment coin, still in circulation today, offers investors an excellent and secure investment opportunity.

Before the advent of gold dollars, the Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign was one of the most widespread gold coins in the world. This gold coin originated in 1489 during the reign of King Henry VII. Issued at his request, it was an investment coin that featured the royal family crest and a rose, the symbol of the Tudor dynasty, on its obverse. Gold Sovereigns in circulation during this period were notable for having no face value. Successive monarchs, such as Edward I and Queens Elizabeth and Victoria, continued to mint this investment coin. It was in 1603, at the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, that gold Sovereigns ceased to be minted.

For those interested in a bit of background, the Sovereign Elizabeth II was given to England by Henry VII in his desire to demonstrate the country's sovereignty to the world at the time. He named this coin an investment to prove not only the splendor but also the power of his kingdom.

The Royal Mint's abandonment of gold as its currency in 1914 led to the withdrawal of sovereigns from circulation just before the outbreak of the First World War. Although withdrawn from circulation, the Royal Mint continued to produce this historically valuable investment coin until 1917, maintaining small quantities of these coins bearing the image of the British Empire.

An iconic and timeless design

The obverse: The face of a legendary queen

From 1957, the Sovereign Or Elizabeth II knew different effigies of the queenreflecting its evolution over the decades.

1957-1968 : first portrait by Mary Gillick, without a crown, depicting a young sovereign.
1974-1984 : second portrait by Arnold Machin, with the crown of the state diadem.
1985-1997 : third portrait by Raphael Maklouf, more detailed and imposing.
1998-2015 : fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, highlighting the queen's maturity.
2015-present : fifth portrait by Jody Clark, more modern and sophisticated.

On each version, the Latin inscription "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F:D:" means "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith." The reverse: Saint George slaying the dragon

The reverse of the Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign remains faithful to the famous motif of Saint George and the dragon, conceived by Benedetto Pistrucci en 1817.

This powerful design symbolizes the victory of good over evil, a perfect allegory of the British monarchy and its resilience through the centuries.

Under the stage you will find:

The year of striking

The initials "BP" of Benedetto Pistrucci

Features of the Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign

The Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign is an investment coin particularly appreciated for its balance between historical value, ease of resale and international recognition.

Métal : Gold
Total weight : 7,99 g
Fine gold weight : 7,32 g
Title (purity) : 916,67 ‰ (22 carats)
Diameter 22,05mm
Thickness 1,52mm
Issuing currency : United Kingdom – The Royal Mint
Frappe : since 1957 (still in production)
Slice : grooved to prevent unauthorized trimming

The gold sovereign, an investment coin minted by the Royal Mint, weighs approximately 7,99 g. With a fineness of 916,67 ‰, this gold coin contains 7,32 g of pure gold.

With a design by the renowned Benedetto Pistrucci, it is distinguished by a reverse of the sovereign featuring the mythical figure of St. George. He is depicted on his horse slaying a dragon.

The year of minting is located just below the image of St. George. As for its obverse, this coin proudly displays the profile of the sovereign during whose reign it was issued.

Why invest in an Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign?

For investors looking to invest in gold, the Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign is an investment coin offering numerous advantages. Particularly popular in England, the Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign is the perfect choice for diversifying your savings. While British citizens can avoid capital gains tax on this gold coin, it provides a valuable tool for diversifying their gold holdings for Europeans.

A globally recognized safe haven asset

The gold Sovereign is an excellent way to protect your capital against inflation and financial market volatility. Its moderate weight (7,99 g) allows for gradual investment.

Favorable tax treatment (UK)

Au United KingdomThe Sovereign is exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT)making this investment even more attractive to the British.

High liquidity and easy resale

Through its worldwide popularity, the Sovereign Or Elizabeth II is easily negotiablewhether with banks, precious metals brokers or private individuals.