Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Assam, India
Japan
Taiwan
Nepal
China
Kenya
Egypt
Iran
South Africa
The Sovereign
The Sovereign is one of the world’s most famous coins. Today, it is admired by collectors, treasured by investors and has a monarchical history that stretches back more than 500 years.
As the 19th Century progressed and the British Empire grew across the globe under the guiding hand of Queen Victoria, the Sovereign became one of the world’s most recognised and accepted coins, earning its reputation as ‘the chief coin in the world’.
The Sovereign Collection 2023
The Royal Arms
A Continuation of Monarchy & Sovereignty
• First EIC Sovereign issued in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III
• Design inspired by the Royal Arms, the symbol of the British Monarchy
• Each limited-edition coin features a different portion of the Royal Arms; a historic and heraldic symbol of Monarchy with its origin in the twelfth century.
• Symbolising the handover of the Monarchy from Queen Elizabeth II to His Majesty King Charles III
• Adapted it with a Privy Mark for King Charles III in his honour
The Sovereign 2023 collection, the first to be released by The East India Company during the reign of His Majesty King Charles III, features a design that celebrates the heritage and heraldry underpinning the King’s family history that combine to form His Majesty’s official coat of arms: The Royal Arms.
This coins mark the first moment of great significance in what is sure to be a majestic reign. Honour the passing of the crown from mother to son and collect the first of the King Charles III Sovereign coins.
The Royal Arms are presented in full on the imposing Five Sovereign Coin, the largest coin in the collection. The four distinct quarters of the arms are then captured on the Double Sovereign, Sovereign, Half Sovereign and Quarter Sovereign.
Each coin is finished to our finest proof quality, every design detail crystal clear thanks to a combination of traditional hand craftsmanship and the best of modern minting technology.
Hand engraved by expert medallist Elles Kloosterman, each Sovereign denomination has taken hours of delicate dedication to create a series of completely unique Sovereigns capturing and emphasising each detail of this iconic symbol. Surround each coin is the Latin inscription – DIEU ET MON DROIT – meaning God and my right.
The significance of the Royal Arms and the Monarchy
The Royal Arms represents the Head of State in the United Kingdom, currently His Majesty King Charles III.
The arms can be seen on buildings or services that represent the Crown, such as UK court rooms or the nation's coins. The British Government is formally known as ‘His Majesty’s Government’, so the arms is also displayed on Embassy entrances and British passports.
At its centre stands a shield featuring the national icons of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, supported by the Lion of England and the Unicorn of Scotland and surrounded by a garter carrying the motto ‘HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE’ ('Evil to him who evil thinks’). The Lion and Unicorn stand upon a grassy bank above the motto of the monarch of the United Kingdom, ‘DIEU ET MON DROIT’, which means ‘God and my right’.
SYMBOLS OF HERALDRY & HERITAGE
Fig I
THE LION OF ENGLAND;
One of the Royal family’s oldest symbols dating back to King Richard I, the ‘Lionheart’. It stands on the right-hand side of the shield and is known as the ‘Dexter Supporter’.
Fig II
THE UNICORN OF SCOTLAND;
Believed to symbolise bravery, innocence and intelligence, it stands on the left-hand side of the shield, known as the ‘Sinister Supporter’.
Fig III
THE ST. EDWARD’S CROWN;
One of the world’s most recognisable crowns, it is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels, securely displayed at the Tower of London to the delight of the millions of visitors
THE ROYAL EMBLEMS OF THE NATIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Fig IV
THREE GOLDEN LIONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Fig V
THE GOLDEN HARP OF IRELAND
Fig VI
THE RAMPANT RED LION OF SCOTLAND
The Sovereign Collection 2022
In honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, we introduced the 2022 Sovereign Gold Proof Collection, featuring this stunning Royal Arms design for the first time to mark this historic milestone.
For 70 years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II tirelessly dedicated her life to her people as Sovereign, the nation’s mother and grandmother and as an example to us all during times of hardship and turmoil. Our late Monarch for 70 years, the Sovereign 2022 Collection celebrates her unique life and unfaltering service which defined the true meaning and importance of Monarchy.
