GOLD SOVEREIGNS: THE GOLD SOVEREIGN COIN RETURNS IN THE MODERN ERA

The financial trauma that accompanied the financial crash of 1929 and the Great Depression had signaled the end of the sovereign as a coin in circulation. However, by the 1950’s there were persistent requests, many of them from abroad, for the reintroduction of the sovereign as a gold bullion coin.

The unchallenged reputation earned by the sovereign as a reliable form of gold investment led to its reintroduction in 1957 and the sovereign entered the modern era. Ever popular with gold buyers and collectors alike, the sovereign makes it possible for a collection to be assembled linking Georgian England to modern 21st Century Britain, and all through a coin that has retained consistent purity and weight in glorious 22 carat gold.

In 1974 a new bust of Elizabeth was introduced showing the Queen wearing a tiara. This tiara profile, which remained on the sovereign until 1984, was the work of the sculptor Arnold Machin.

No bullion uncirculated sovereigns were issued from 1985 to 1997, there were only collector editions released in Proof condition.

Then, in 1998 after considerable worldwide interest yet again, the striking of uncirculated sovereigns began again and featured a new, mature portrait of Her Majesty which is the work of the sculptor and medallist Ian Rank-Broadly.

The Royal Mint’s presses began striking gold sovereigns again in 1957 and until 1968 they displayed an attractive right-facing uncrowned portrait of Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, the first female sculptor to immortalise a British monarch.

The reverse design has predominantly continued with the centuries-old tradition of St. George slaying the dragon, although two commemorative designs have been produced, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and in 2005 a competition was held to redesign the theme of St George and the dragon for a new century.