Description
There were two King Georges to feature on the obverse of Great Britain Gold Sovereigns in the 20th century. The first of these was King George V who reigned as King of England from 6 May 1910 when his father King Edward VII died until his own death on 20 January 1936. The latter of these was King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II and ruler from December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952.
On the obverse of the coins from the reign of King George V is a left-profile bust of the King of England. George V had two designs available during his reign, with the longest one in use from 1911 until 1925. The latter design was featured on coinage from 1926 until his death in 1936 and throughout most of that year as his predecessor, Edward VIII abdicated before a new design came into circulation.
The obverse of Great Britain Gold Sovereign coins issued during the reign of King George VI. The second son of King George V, he spent most of his life as second-in-line to the throne behind his brother Edward VIII. However, his brother would abdicate the throne to marry Wallis Simpson and leave him to ascend the throne as King George VI. Most of his reign is captured in one design featured on the obverse of gold sovereigns.
On the reverse of Great Britain Gold Sovereign coins, you’ll always find the image of St. George battling the dragon. Designed for the reintroduction of gold sovereigns in 1817 by Benedetto Pistrucci, this design showcases St. George on horseback as he stampedes the dragon.
All gold sovereigns are produced by the Royal Mint. Modern gold sovereigns are produced only by the Royal Mints facility in southern Wales, but former commonwealth mints and other Royal Mint locations also struck gold sovereigns for use throughout the British Empire.
Great Britain Gold Sovereign coins have been issued in the modern era since 1817. The Great Recoinage of 1816 resulted in the reintroduction of the gold sovereign coinage for the first time in more than two centuries and the coins remain available from the Royal Mint to investors and collectors today.
