A Modern Classic: The Rise of the Silver Sovereign
When the silver sovereign was first introduced in 2019, few could have anticipated the extraordinary journey that lay ahead. For more than five centuries, the sovereign had been inseparable from gold, its weight, diameter, and iconography forming one of the most enduring standards in world coinage. To strike Britain’s flagship coin in 0.999 fine silver was, at the time, a bold departure from tradition. Yet what began as a daring experiment has quickly evolved into one of the most distinctive and ambitious modern collecting series of the 21st century.
Over seven consecutive years, the silver sovereign has achieved something unprecedented: a continuous series of world‑firsts. Each annual issue has advanced the story not only through design but through symbolism, artistry and historical resonance. Together, they form a living narrative that successfully combines over 500 years of history with contemporary numismatic expression.
2019: A New Chapter Begins
The inaugural 2019 silver sovereign holds a place of permanent importance: it was the first sovereign ever struck in silver, yet it faithfully preserved the traditional sovereign specifications of weight and diameter. The design established the series’ guiding principle: honouring heritage while reimagining it for a modern audience.
The reverse was entrusted to Angela Pistrucci, the great-great-great niece of Benedetto Pistrucci, whose original Saint George and the Dragon design debuted on the first modern gold sovereign in 1817. Her reinterpretation paid respectful homage to her ancestor’s neo‑classical masterpiece while asserting a confident contemporary identity.
Paired with Raphael Maklouf’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, the coin was immediately recognised as a landmark issue. Its significance lies not only in its beauty, but in its absolute primacy, marking the moment when centuries of gold tradition were transformed into silver. Other silver sovereigns have followed, but the 2019 coin will forever be the first.
2020: Innovation with Purpose
Building on its successful debut, the 2020 silver sovereign demonstrated that innovation would be central to the coin’s identity. Once again designed by Angela Pistrucci, the reverse introduced another world first: the selective use of 24‑carat Fairmined gold on a silver sovereign.
This was not simply a decorative enhancement - the Fairmined certification is awarded to small-scale mining operations that meet world-class standards for responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship and ethical practices. By incorporating Fairmined gold into the design, the silver sovereign aligned traditional craftsmanship with modern values.
Issued in the bicentenary year of King George III’s death, the coin also featured a special ‘200’ privy mark, blending sustainability, history and artistry into a single, cohesive statement.
2021: Rediscovering the Shield
The 2021 silver sovereign marked a dramatic shift in visual storytelling. For the first time, Saint George and the Dragon disappeared entirely and was replaced by the Heraldic Shield design. This was the first appearance of the shield on a silver sovereign and a direct reference to a little-known chapter of sovereign history.
Created by Jean‑Baptiste Merlen two centuries ago, the Heraldic Shield design emerged after Benedetto Pistrucci fell out of favour with King George IV. By reviving this motif, the 2021 issue demonstrated that the silver sovereign was not confined to its most famous image. Instead, it could explore forgotten narratives and restore balance to the sovereign’s long artistic lineage.
2022: The Platinum Jubilee Tribute
Few releases in the series carry the emotional weight of the 2022 silver sovereign. Issued to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, it became the first and only sovereign to feature an official platinum portrait of a monarch. Sculpted by Raphael Maklouf, the portrait captured the Queen in the seventieth year of her reign.
The reverse design was selected through a competition at Rome’s prestigious Zecca School of Art, won by Lucrezia Delfini. Her interpretation of Saint George and the Dragon was unique in that it included the princess, a key figure in the legend who had never before appeared on a sovereign. Later that year, following the Queen’s passing, the coin also became the final silver sovereign of her reign, transforming it from a jubilee celebration into a lasting memorial.
2023: A New Reign in Silver
The 2023 silver sovereign ushered in a new era. For the first time, the coin bore the portrait of King Charles III, and it was issued in the year of his coronation. The obverse, once again by Raphael Maklouf, was widely praised for its naturalistic and accurate likeness.
The reverse, titled Love Story, was created by Arianna Cicconi, another Zecca School of Art competition winner. Her design approached Saint George and the Dragon through a romantic lens, subtly weaving the drama of the battle into the flowing hair of the princess.
2024: 535 Years of History
In 2024, there were two silver sovereigns to choose from, both featuring designs that honoured previous sovereign artistry whilst also looking to the future. The year also saw the introduction of multiple denominations, expanding the series’ scope and collectability.
Marking 535 years since the first sovereign was struck in 1489, one coin depicts King Charles III, enthroned and facing forward, at his coronation – replicating, in this anniversary year, the appearance of the first Tudor sovereign. It was, of course, the first time that an enthroned portrait of the monarch had ever appeared on a silver sovereign.
The other 2024 silver sovereign presented Saint George and the Dragon in a striking Art Deco style, blending modern aesthetics with deep historical roots. It was designed by another Zecca competition winner, Alexandra Diaconu, whose work offered a powerful reminder that the silver sovereign can act as both a historical record and a modern canvas.
2025: Two Classics United
The 2025 silver sovereign range incorporated two of the most important motifs in sovereign history into one design for the first time. To mark the bicentenary of Merlen’s heraldic shield design, which appeared on the reverse of the gold sovereign in 1825, Saint George and the Dragon and the Shield appeared together for the first time.
This creative pairing was more than symbolic; it acknowledged the silver sovereign’s journey to date, revisiting Angela Pistrucci’s original 2019 design, while honouring Merlen’s shield in this important anniversary year. The result was a fusion of commemoration and artistry across the centuries.
2026: One Artist, One Vision
The journey of the silver sovereign reaches its most poetic moment in 2026. For the first time, both the obverse and reverse of the coin have been created by the same artist - Raphael Maklouf. Already the most prolific designer in sovereign history, Maklouf pairs his acclaimed portrait of King Charles III with his first sovereign reverse, a beautiful reimagining of the Tudor Rose.
The Tudor Rose, a symbol of unity and royal authority, appeared on the first sovereign in 1489. By incorporating the newly issued Royal Arms of King Charles III within the rose, the 2026 silver sovereign has completed a full historical circle, connecting the coin’s historic origins with its most modern expression.
A Living Legacy
From 2019 to today, the silver sovereign has done far more than replicate a gold coin. It has created a continuous narrative unlike any modern coin series, where history, artistry and innovation converge, year after year, into one of the most remarkable collecting stories of the 21st century.
Each year stands as a milestone in its own right and, together, each silver sovereign contributes to a vibrant numismatic legacy that honours the past while looking boldly towards the future. Click here to find the latest range of world's firsts and historic silver Sovereigns.
