British Gold Sovereigns
The Gold Sovereign played a crucial role in the British Empire and facilitated international trade with consistent gold content.
Gold Sovereigns are made from 22k with 0.2354 troy ounces of gold.
These coins were mass-produced for everyday circulation and minted throughout the British Empire. These circulated gold bullion coins can include a variety of mint marks from Melbourne, Perth, India, and South Africa. Coins without a mint mark were minted by the Royal Mint in London.
They remain popular with investors and collectors as one of the lowest premiums gold coins.
Sovereign Design and History
The British Gold Sovereign has a rich history that originated under the reign of King Henry VII in 1489.
Today's version was introduced in 1817 and features a notable depiction of Benedetto Pistrucci's painting of St. George slaying the dragon to celebrate Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.
In certain years, the Victorian Shield Coat of Arms replaced the reverse design during Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 until 1901.
As is the tradition of the British Royal Family, the obverse features the reigning monarch in the year of minting, with each consecutive monarch facing the opposite direction of its predecessor.
Composition and Mint Marks
Each gold sovereign contains .2354 troy ounces of pure gold in a 22k alloy, which provides the durability that allows these coins to circulate for hundreds of years.
At the height of the British Empire, the Royal Mint established satellite branches in various territories where gold was mined. Each branch was marked with a unique mint mark to indicate its place of origin.
| Mint Location | Mint Mark | Years of Sovereign Production | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Main Royal Mint) | (No mint mark) | 1817–Present | United Kingdom |
| Sydney, Australia | "S" | 1855–1926 | Australia |
| Melbourne, Australia | "M" | 1872–1931 | Australia |
| Perth, Australia | "P" | 1899–1931 | Australia |
| Ottawa, Canada | "C" | 1908–1919 | Canada |
| Bombay (Mumbai), India | "I" | 1918 | India |
| Pretoria, South Africa | "SA" | 1923–1932 | South Africa |
Gold Sovereign Prices
Vintage Sovereign Gold Coins contain almost 1/4 oz of pure gold and make an excellent choice for stacking away as a store of value.
Gold Sovereigns are often cheaper than modern bullion coins because of their wide availability.
The coins are also a piece of history, symbolizing the era of the gold standard and the height of British economic influence. Gold Sovereigns are often among the cheapest and lowest premium coins for stacking.
These coins were mass-produced during the last 200 years for everyday circulation. As bullion coins, the condition will show signs of handling; most will show signs of wear on the higher points, bag marks, and minor scratches.
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.
