Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Assam, India
Japan
Taiwan
Nepal
China
Kenya
Egypt
Iran
South Africa
The legendary tale of good over evil begins anew, as William Wyon’s dramatic St George & the Dragon takes centre stage as the definitive design for our 2024 Sovereign Collection.
This faithful reproduction of Wyon’s masterpiece has been created by our expert team who have combined traditional craftsmanship, techniques that would have been familiar to Wyon himself, with the very latest in minting technologies to capture every fine detail in our highest quality Proof finish.
This faithful reproduction of Wyon’s masterpiece has been created by our expert team who have combined traditional craftsmanship, techniques that would have been familiar to Wyon himself, with the very latest in minting technologies to capture every fine detail in our highest quality Proof finish.
• Exceptionally low limited editions compared to other Sovereigns
• Classic design faithfully remastered by our team of Engravers using a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern minting
• Flawless finish stuck to the highest detail
• A classical design proven to stand the test of time
Discover the story behind the history of this exceptional design which finds its rightful place reproduced on our annual Sovereign collection.
THE SOVEREIGN: THE CHIEF COIN IN THE WORLD
The Sovereign is one of the world’s most famous coins, first introduced in the late 15th Century when King Henry VII demanded a ‘new money of gold’ to demonstrate the power of his reign. It was adopted by the Tudor monarchs who followed before being replaced during the reign of the first Stuart monarch, James I.
Some 200 years later the poor condition of the British currency after the Napoleonic Wars led to the Great Recoinage of 1816 and perhaps its most significant change; the re-introduction of the Sovereign. As the British Empire then grew across the globe under the guiding hand of Queen Victoria, this ‘Modern’ Sovereign became one of the world’s most familiar and accepted coins, its reputation as ‘the chief coin in the world’ due in no small part to its stunning design.
A STORY OF ARTISTRY AND RIVALRY
In order to ensure that the new coins of the Great Recoinage featured the finest possible designs a keenly contested competition invited the most talented artists of the age to submit their best creations, with the work of two men standing above all others; Benedetto Pistrucci and William Wyon, now recognised as the defining coin engravers of the 19th Century.
Pistrucci’s iconic image of St George slaying a mighty dragon, created in honour of King George III, was chosen for the new Sovereign in preference to Wyon’s proposal, a decision which sparked a period of rivalry between the two men.
The tensions between them were finally eased in 1828 when the Master of the Royal Mint, George Tierney, gave them roles that would make the best of each man’s skills; Pistrucci was made Chief Medallist while Wyon was appointed Chief Engraver.
WILLIAM WYON’S ST GEORGE & THE DRAGON
Now the page turns once again and that story begins anew, as William Wyon’s dramatic St George & the Dragon takes centre stage as the definitive design for our 2024 Sovereign Collection. This faithful reproduction of Wyon’s masterpiece has been created by our expert team who have combined traditional craftsmanship, techniques that would have been familiar to Wyon himself, with the very latest in minting technologies to capture every fine detail in our highest quality Proof finish.
To further ensure an authentic lineage between this contemporary Sovereign and the 19th Century original, Wyon’s design has been struck in 22 carat gold to specifications that date back to the Great Recoinage of 1816, where this timeless story of professional rivalry and artistic mastery first began.
Previously issued Sovereigns
The Sovereign and The East India Company share a history unlike any other. Replacing the Guinea after the Great Recoinage in 1816, the Sovereign remained as the primary gold coin in Britain for the remainder of The Company’s existence.
As the Guinea had become the most trusted coin of the Empire, the Sovereign was to rule over a very different period in British and Commonwealth history. Interestingly it was the Bombay Mint, established by The East India Company in 1829 where the famous India Sovereigns were minted. Over one million Sovereigns were struck in 1918, after gold enroute to London from South Africa was diverted due to World War I. These very special Sovereigns have a special ‘I’ mark to denote the lineage.
Today we issue Sovereigns in partnership with St Helena Government, fully approved by His Majesty King Charles II. Featuring classical and traditional designs and often celebrating Royal occasions our Sovereigns issues carry some of the lowest edition limits in the highly sought-after sovereign category.
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.
The 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Sovereign Collection
Celebrating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th Birthday with this collection of Sovereigns issued with special permission featuring three of her most iconic effigies on the obverse and St George & the Dragon on the reverse.
The 2020 King George III Sovereign Collection
Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the end of the reign of King George III with some of the most iconic coin designs issued in his reign.
The 2019 Queen Victoria Sovereign Collection
Issued in commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria and celebrating the most iconic and beautiful coinage of her reign including Una & the Lion and the Gothic Crown.
