First produced in 1489 under the reign of Henry VII, British Sovereign Coins have captured the faces of our Monarchy over a span of 500 years. They are valuable and highly collectible. Discover a brief history of British sovereign coins in our latest blog.
A great way to discover the different British Sovereign Coins is to know the history of our Monarchy. We've created a timeline featuring all the Kings and Queens with a dedicated Sovereign Coin. You may notice a gap in the timeline - that's because sovereign coin production ceased under James I in 1603, but was revived after the fall of Napoleon in 1815.
What makes a Sovereign Coin so valuable?
Sovereign Coins are made of 22ct gold and only a limited number are minted each year. The date is an important factor that influences the value of a Sovereign, as well as where the coin was minted.
Back in 2014, a Sovereign Coin of King Edward VIII sold for a record £516, 000. This 1937 coin is one of only two in existence. King Edward was forced to abdicate from the throne after he chose to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Another notable coin is the 1926 George V sovereign minted in Sydney, Australia. The short supply of coins minted in Sydney that year makes these more valuable. You can locate where a Sovereign Coin was minted by looking at the small letter(s) beneath the dragon on the reverse of the coin. These mint marks came into effect during the reign of Victoria up until King George V.
S - Sydney
SA - South Africa
P - Perth
I - India
M - Melbourne
C - Canada
Starting a Sovereign Coin Collection
If you are thinking of starting your own Sovereign Coin collection, don't be put off by the aforementioned price. You can own a second-hand Full Sovereign Coin for a little over £300, or a half Sovereign for under £200. The difference between the two is the weight - full sovereigns are 8 grams and half sovereigns are 4 grams. Sovereign Coins are also available as jewellery pieces, including rings, pendants, and necklaces.
These coins are a popular choice for investment.
A Great British Design
The iconic St. George and the Dragon motif on the reverse of the Sovereign Coin were illustrated by Benedetto Pistrucci. Introduced in 1817, the celebrated design remains adorned on British Sovereign Coins.
Other Notable Sovereign Coins
Featured on this coin is the first president of the old South African Republic, Paul Kruger. The reverse features the springbok, the national symbol of South Africa.
Browse our valuable British Sovereign Coins today in our Second-Hand Collection. Free delivery and 0% interest-free credit are available. Our Second-Hand Collection features one-of-a-kind pieces, including treasures with historical value.
