Posts Tagged ‘Royal Coin’
Witness a Historic Royal First by the Sovereign!
The brand-new UK 2024 Sovereign has just been revealed by the Royal Mint.
But what is the Sovereign?
When it comes to coins, few carry the weight of history and prestige quite like the Sovereign. From its humble beginnings in the late 15th century to its role as a symbol of British monetary stability and the grandeur of the British Empire, the story of the Sovereign coin is a fascinating journey through time. Join us as we explore the captivating history of this iconic gold coin in the video below.
The Birth of a Regal Coin:
The story of the Sovereign coin begins in 1489 during the reign of King Henry VII. This remarkable coin was aptly named the “Sovereign” and carried a face value of one pound. It featured a regal portrait of the reigning monarch on one side and the royal coat of arms on the other. This early version of the Sovereign set the stage for the coin’s enduring legacy.
The Tudor Period and Fluctuating Fortunes:
During the Tudor period, the Sovereign coin went through a series of changes in size and design. It was minted under various monarchs and experienced periods of discontinuation and revival, reflecting the turbulent political and economic landscape of the time.
The Great Recoinage of 1816:
The real turning point in the history of the Sovereign coin came during the reign of King George III. In 1816, a momentous event known as the Great Recoinage took place in the United Kingdom. It was here that the Sovereign received its iconic design featuring St. George slaying the dragon, a masterful creation by the Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. This marked the resurgence of the Sovereign as a symbol of British monetary stability and the reach of the British Empire.
A Star in the Gold Standard:
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the British Sovereign played a starring role in the international gold standard. Under this system, currencies were linked to a fixed quantity of gold, and Sovereigns were internationally recognised and accepted. They were both a symbol of British power and a vehicle for international trade.
The End of an Era:
The golden age of the Sovereign coin gradually faded with the dawn of the 20th century. The upheaval of World War I and the changing global economic landscape saw the United Kingdom officially abandon the gold standard in 1931. Gold coins, including the Sovereign, ceased to circulate.
A Collector’s Treasure:
Though no longer in everyday use, the Sovereign coin remains a beloved and coveted item among collectors and investors alike. The Royal Mint continues to produce gold Sovereigns in various designs and sizes, making it a timeless piece of numismatic history.
This years production of the 2024 Sovereign combines Pistrucci’s timeless design with the official coinage portrait of King Charles III, meticulously created by Martin Jennings, for the first time ever.
The making of the Diamond Masterpiece
As I’m sure you already know, this year Her Majesty marks her 95th Birthday. This is an incredible milestone and an important moment in British history that has been rightfully remembered on some fantastic commemoratives.
But there’s one particular issue that, for me, stands heads and shoulders above the rest…
Introducing the Diamond Masterpiece
The name ‘Masterpiece’ really is appropriate for this coin, and I would almost say that it hardly does justice to this incredible release which is the pinnacle of craftsmanship. Cutting edge minting techniques and materials have been used to create this special commemorative.
Containing NINETY FIVE Actual Diamonds – one for each year of Her Majesty’s life
The coin itself has been struck to an incredible 65mm from FIVE OUNCES of .999 PURE SILVER. The coin is fully approved by Buckingham Palace and the Queen and is the perfect heirloom for you and your family to commemorate the occasion.
And around the outside of the designs are 95 diamonds representing the years of Her Majesty’s life. This is an incredible feature and a real feat of numismatic innovation.
As I am sure you can appreciate, given all of the individual elements that have to be carefully curated for each individual coin, the edition limit as a consequence is incredibly low. In fact, only 195 of these coins have been produced.
JUST 195 AVAILABLE – secure yours while you can!
The Queen’s 95th Birthday Diamond Masterpiece Coin is available to own right now from The Westminster Collection, although these numismatic masterpieces are expected to sell out quickly.
FIRST LOOK: Six 50ps issued to celebrate Her Majesty’s 95th Birthday
This morning, not just one but SIX brand new British Isles 50p coins were released to celebrate Her Majesty’s 95th Birthday.
They feature six portraits of the Queen charting the years of her reign, and in my latest video I take a closer look and tell you EVERYTHING you need to know...
If you’re interested…
