Royal Mint 2019 gold Sovereign Collection

The Royal Mint launched two weeks ago its eagerly anticipated 2019 Sovereign Collection. Reborn in 1817, the consistent use of Pistrucci’s design has made the Sovereign accepted and trusted worldwide. Whilst also being an instantly recognisable coin, it has come to be a favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.  While the Sovereign’s full story is more than five centuries old, it was subject to a lengthy pause after production ceased early in the 17^th Century, during the reign of James I. But then, over 200 years ago, as part of a great reform of UK coinage undertaken after the Napoleonic Wars the Sovereign was born again, setting new standards for accuracy and beauty that defined a currency.

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During the 19^th century the Sovereign was known as ‘the chief coin of the world’, while its role has changed over the years that followed, it maintains a global reputation for accuracy, reliability and quality.

Once again the 2019 Sovereign features Pistrucci’s St George design – a timeless design.

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The story behind the Pistrucci Sovereign

In the early eighteenth century the effects of the Napoleonic Wars and a shortage of silver meant that the United Kingdom’s circulating coinage was in poor condition. The re-coinage and exchange of 1816-17 would transform the nation’s coins, and it meant greater scrutiny and efficiency than ever before. The Royal Mint had moved to a new location in Tower Hill, equipped to meet the new demands with modern steam-powered machinery.

Alongside this activity, legislation would formalise the Gold Standard, setting out the coins to be produced, and the standard to which they would be struck. One key change was to reinstate the 20-shilling piece but this time the coin of 20 shillings would be known as the pound, or Sovereign. Circulated alongside the 21-shilling gold guinea for a time, it was essential that The Sovereign was distinctive enough from the existing gold coin.

The reverse design chosen was the instantly recognisable St George and the dragon created by Benedetto Pistrucci, now acknowledged across the world as a masterpiece. While The Sovereign has deviated from the iconic St George at times, it always returns to this 200-year-old design.

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Benedetto Pistrucci and his iconic design

Benedetto Pistrucci came to London in 1815 under the patronage of the Prince Regent. He was relatively unknown in Britain but his reputation attracted interest and he quickly found sponsors and supporters of his work. Soon after his arrival, his engraver’s talent was recognised, as he was given the prestigious task of creating the designs for the new gold and silver coins of George III.

Pistrucci’s St George and the dragon design has become synonymous with The Sovereign. He created an interpretation that defied the medieval image of St George, instead opting for a Greek interpretation, bare and muscular, not weighed down with the usual chain mail and armour.

The obverse design—Jody Clark

Since joining The Royal Mint, coin designer Jody Clark has worked on many notable projects. He created the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty The Queen that was introduced in 2015. He also created designs for the medals struck to celebrate the 2014 Ryder Cup and the NATO Summit, and his contemporary interpretation of Britannia featured on the 2014 edition of the Britannia coin.

Jody said: “I liked all four of the previous portraits, each one strong in its own way. I hope that I’ve done The Queen justice and captured her as I intended, in a fitting representation. The news that my design had been chosen was quite overwhelming and I still can’t quite believe that my portrait will feature on millions of coins. They’ll be everywhere and are likely to be around forever.”

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The Sovereign 2019 Collection – specifications

The Sovereign Sets

The Sovereign 2019 Five-Coin Gold Proof Set
Limited Edition Presentation: 750

22 Carat gold

RRP: £3,230.00

The Five-Sovereign Piece 2019

The Double-Sovereign 2019

The Sovereign 2019

The Half-Sovereign 2019

The Quarter-Sovereign 2019

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The Sovereign 2019 Four-Coin Gold Proof Set
Limited Edition Presentation: 300

22 Carat gold

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RRP: £1,470.00
The Double-Sovereign 2019

The Sovereign 2019
The Half-Sovereign 2019
The Quarter-Sovereign 2019

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The Sovereign 2019 Premium Three-Coin Gold Proof Set
Limited Edition Presentation: 450

22 Carat gold

RRP: £1,375.00
The Double-Sovereign 2019

The Sovereign 2019

The Half-Sovereign 2019

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The Sovereign 2019 Three-Coin Gold Proof Set
Limited Edition Presentation: 1,000

22 Carat gold

RRP: £690.00

The Sovereign 2019

The Half-Sovereign 2019

The Quarter-Sovereign 2019

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The individual Sovereign coins

The Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof Coin

RRP: £430.00

• The Half-Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof Coin

RRP: £220.00

• The Quarter-Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof Coin

RRP: £135.00

• The Five-Sovereign Piece 2019 Gold Proof Coin

RRP: only available as part of The Sovereign 2019 Five-Coin Gold Proof Set

• The Double-Sovereign 2019 Gold Proof Coin

RRP: only available as part of The Sovereign 2019 Five-Coin, Four-Coin and Premium Three-coin Gold Proof Sets

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Sources: Royal Mint and NUMISMAG©.