Sovereign Articles

A Brief History of Rose Gold

4th November 2024 

Owing to its significant copper content, this precious alloy is distinguishable by its red tint or pinkish hue.

Two Hundred Years of the Crowned Shield

4th November 2024 

As we mark 200 years since Jean Baptiste Merlen’s Royal Arms first graced our flagship coin.

Significant Moments for The Sovereign

With an impressive history dating back to 1489, The Sovereign has become known as the ‘chief coin of the world’ because of its accuracy and reliability. 

The Sovereign and Coronations

Join us as we explore the brief yet fascinating relationship between The Sovereign and coronation ceremonies.

The Sovereign Reverse Designs

In 200 years, the reverse has rarely changed, with only a handful of designs appearing on The Sovereign since 1817.

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Sovereign

Discover the four times that the Sovereign reverse design was changed during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

The Sovereign and the British Monarchy

The Sovereign has been associated with the British monarchy since 1489, more than five centuries ago. Discover the history of changing designs for historic occasions.

Meet the Maker – Timothy Noad

 Chosen three times to design reverses for The Sovereign, we interview Timothy Noad about the 2022 Sovereign.

The Sovereign in the First World War

When the First World War broke out, The Sovereign had already survived several attempts at its withdrawal, but even the ‘chief coin of the world’ could not survive the effects of the conflict.

The Legend of St George and The Dragon

According to legend, the inspiration for St George was a Roman soldier in the third century AD who was condemned to death by the Roman Emperor Diocletian for refusing to give up his Christian faith.

The Story of The Sovereign

The 2020 edition of The Sovereign marks the 200th anniversary of the death of George III, the first monarch to appear on the modern Sovereign.

The Sovereign and Jubilees

Pistrucci’s design has consistently featured on The Sovereign since 1871 and has only been replaced a handful of times, most notably for historic events such as Her Majesty’s jubilees.

Behind the Design of a Modern Classic

This beloved coin has an impressive history dating back to the reign of Henry VII, who commissioned a ‘new money of gold’ to establish the legitimacy and authority of the new Tudor dynasty.

Rare Reverse Design Changes

Here are five occasions that The Sovereign’s reverse design has changed in recent memory – each holding a special place in numismatic history.

The 2023 Coronation Sovereign

Serving as a symbol of an important milestone in the reign of Britain’s oldest ascending monarch, the 2023 Coronation Sovereign coin is of notable significance for a number of numismatic reasons. 

Celebrating a Milestone Moment

Discover a special edition of our flagship coin released for the 95th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen.