British Gold Sovereigns
The Gold Sovereign played a crucial role in the British gold standard and facilitated international trade with consistent gold content and with the reputation of the Royal Mint.
The British Gold Sovereign has a rich history, first minted in 1489 during the reign of Henry VII. The modern version, introduced in 1817 after the defeat of Napoleon, features Benedetto Pistrucci’s design of St. George slaying the dragon.
Gold Sovereigns are made from 22k gold, containing 0.2354 troy ounces of pure gold. These coins were mass-produced for everyday use and minted across the British Empire, with mint marks from locations like Melbourne, Perth, and India, and London coins featuring no mint mark. They remain popular for investors due to their low premiums and historical significance.
Gold Sovereign Prices and Premiums
Gold Sovereigns are often cheaper than modern gold coins because millions of these coins were minted over the years.
Each Gold Sovereign contains 0.2354 troy ounces of gold, less than a standard 1 oz modern gold coin, which reduces the cost per coin.
Sovereigns often have lower premiums over the spot price of gold due to their wide availability and historical use as circulating currency.
Many Sovereigns are sold in the secondary market, which can further reduce premiums compared to newly minted gold coins.
These factors make Gold Sovereigns an attractive and cost-effective option for gold investors.
Sovereign Design
The current design and likeness of the British Gold Sovereign was introduced following the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. The reverse features a notable depiction of St George on Horseback Slaying a Dragon by artist Benedetto Pistrucci. However, during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 until 1901, the portrait of Saint George and the Dragon was replaced with the Victorian Shield Coat of Arms.
Sovereign Composition
Each gold sovereign is minted with .2354 troy ounces of pure gold in an 22k alloy that provides the durability that allows these coins to circulated for hundreds of years. During colonial expansion, the Royal Mint opened satellite locations close to where the gold was being mined. Some coins may include mint marks in Canada, India or Australia!
The obverse design features a portrait of the reining monarch from the year of minting, as is the tradition of the British Royal Family.
Sovereign Value
Vintage Sovereign Gold Coins each contain almost 1/4 oz of pure gold and make an excellent choice for stacking away as a store of value. The coins are also a piece of history, symbolizing the era of the gold standard and the height of British economic influence. For stacking, Gold Sovereigns are often amongst the cheapest and lowest premium coins. These coins were mass produced for everyday circulation, with millions having survived throughout 200 years of use.
Compare Prices of British Gold Sovereigns
Vintage gold coins have a rich history and many investors are attracted to these coins as tangible assets. When buying British Gold Sovereigns as a store of value, FindBullionPrices.com can help you find the lowest premiums from an assortment of trusted and reputable online bullion dealers. The prices on our site are updated every hour and adjusted for gold spot price. This gives you the tools to compare gold prices.
