BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Behind the Craft - George and the Dragon

In 1816 William Wyon was an Assistant Engraver at The Royal Mint when he entered a competition to design new coins for the Great Recoinage.

His submission, The Three Graces, lost out to Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George & The Dragon design, creating an early rivalry between the two men.

Despite this setback William Wyon’s reputation flourished, forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria.

He created the famous Young Head portrait when Victoria became Queen, his Una & The Lion design celebrated the first anniversary of her coronation and his Gothic Crown was released to mark her 10th year as monarch.

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Masterpiece St George & The Dragon 2023 Sovereign Piedfort Gold Proof Coin - SOLD OUT

ONLY 100 COINS WORLDWIDE

Our Masterpiece Collection continues with this rare opportunity to own Willian Wyon’s stunning interpretation of the original design of St George & The Dragon. Each one accompanied with a uniquely...

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In 1844 Wyon was personally commissioned to design a medal for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Albert was a progressive thinker, an evangelist for technological progress, a supporter of human rights causes such as emancipation and, perhaps most famously, a patron of the Arts, becoming President of the Society of Arts in 1843 before it gained its royal charter in 1847.
• First release of our King Charles III coins featuring the official effigy by Glyn Davies
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s final Masterpiece
• Rarely issued Piedfort Proof Sovereign
• A worldwide limited edition of just 100 coins
• Double the weight and thickness of a Proof Sovereign
• 0.471 troy ounces of 22 carat gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Product Detail

In 1844 Wyon was personally commissioned to design a medal for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Albert was a progressive thinker, an evangelist for technological progress, a supporter of human rights causes such as emancipation and, perhaps most famously, a patron of the Arts, becoming President of the Society of Arts in 1843 before it gained its royal charter in 1847.
• First release of our King Charles III coins featuring the official effigy by Glyn Davies
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s final Masterpiece
• Rarely issued Piedfort Proof Sovereign
• A worldwide limited edition of just 100 coins
• Double the weight and thickness of a Proof Sovereign
• 0.471 troy ounces of 22 carat gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Specification

  • Alloy

    22ct Gold 0.9167Au

  • Denomination

    Sovereign

  • Weight

    15.98g

  • Authority

    St Helena

  • Diameter

    22.05mm

  • Edge

    Milled

  • Issue limit

    100

  • Total Mintage

    100

Stories

Wyon's St George and the Dragon

During the 1840s the Society of Arts held popular annual exhibitions that showcased British ingenuity. Henry Cole, a Society member, came up with the idea of a ‘Great Exhibition’ which would celebrate such brilliance from across the globe.

Prince Albert became President of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, calming concerns from Parliament with his belief that the event would place British creativity and engineering on the world stage.
The Great Exhibition proved to be a spectacular success and, in tribute to his achievements and as “a token of remembrance of our long communion in this work”, Prince Albert presented Henry Cole with the special medal he had personally commissioned from William Wyon.

Wyon’s interpretation of St George & The Dragon, an iconic image that has become synonymous with his early rival, Benedetto Pistrucci, is full of energy as St George slays the mighty dragon beneath his rearing steed, believed to have been modelled upon Prince Albert’s favourite horse, ‘Imaun’.

Piedfort coins were historically given by monarchs as gifts or ‘prestige pieces’ to members of their court. This extremely rare issue Piedfort Gold Sovereign has the same diameter as a Sovereign, but is twice the thickness and weight.

The 2023 Sovereign Piedfort features a remaster of William Wyon’s St George & The Dragon surrounded by the Garter belt engraved with the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, or ‘shame on anyone who thinks evil of it’.

  • FAQ

    What is the difference between maximum mintage and issue limit?
    Maximum mintage is the total number of individuals coins which will be struck, this includes coins presented is sets. The Issue limit refers to the number of coins which will be sold in the specific presentation.

    What if the maximum mintage and issue limit is the same?
    This means the coin will only be available in the presentation shown and will not be issued in any other way.

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  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
    See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery.

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