1911-1925 British Gold Sovereign George V Avg Circ

1911-1925 British Gold Sovereign George V Avg Circ

The British Gold Sovereign coins are one of the internationally recognized and highly respected coins. It is held in high regard by the numismatists. Since its revival in 1817, it has seen various changes in its designs in accordance with the changing monarchs. The period of 1911-­1925 falls under the reign of King George V and the sovereigns carried his effigy on the obverse. First issued in 1911, the last Sovereign coin with George's portrait was struck in 1932. These are priced coins and have a great demand in the numismatic world.

Coin Features:

• Contains .2354 Troy Ounce of .9167 fine gold.
• Almost Uncirculated condition with minimal wear.
• Each sovereign coin will be shipped in a plastic flip.
• Minted at the British Royal Mint and other Commonwealth Mints.
• Dates and a mint mark will be chosen randomly based on availability.
• Obverse: Features a leftward facing handsome bust portrait of the King George V. The main device is surrounded by inscriptions in Latin " GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP:" which translates to “George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.” A design by Edgar Bertram Mackennal
• Reverse: Features the iconic design by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci of St. George mounted on horseback slaying a dragon. Inscriptions: Year of Mintage, Initials of Designer “B.P.”

British gold coins have been in circulation for almost a century and a half before 1489 when King Henry VII felt that he should have new money of gold. He instructed the Royal Mint to strike and issue the new coins which would be larger than any other coin in British History and hence was called the sovereign which aptly suited the size and value of the coin as well as complemented the monarch’s regality.

It was a coin with a great artistic value which featured a rendition of the reigning monarch in his full coronation regalia on the obverse. The reverse featured the royal arms on an elaborate and beautiful Tudor rose. The rich design and the high gold content did not fail to send a political message of stability, prestige, and richness of the country to the entire world. However, these coins came to an end during the reign of James I, who wanted to abolish the Tudor coins. These coins were not revived for another 200 years until the Recoinage Act of 1816 was passed. In 1817, the sovereign got a new lease of life and its latest design became internationally recognized for its high artistic value.

The obverse of the modern sovereign coin featured the bust portrait of the ruling monarch and the reverse featured the iconic St. George mounted on a horse slaying the dragon, a design by the famous Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.

With the changing monarchs, the sovereign also saw changes in its designs. The coins from the period of 1911-­1925 fell under the rule of George V, who succeeded the throne in May 1910 after his father’s death. However, the first issue of his gold sovereign was not minted until 1911. The sovereign coins of this period are also known as World War I Gold Sovereign Coins, and these were the last British gold coins to have been in circulation. They were in circulation till 1914 and the minting were completely stopped in 1917. A few coins were minted again in 1925, but it was not used in circulation. The last Geoge V sovereign coins were minted at Pretoria, South Africa in 1932.

The coin on the obverse featured a handsome leftward facing bust portrait of King George V, which was design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal from Australia. The reverse featured the iconic image of St. George mounted on horseback slaying a dragon, which was a design created by the famous Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. They are the only coins to have been manufactured at all six branches of the British Royal Mint.

These coins due to their historical significance, age, and artistic value are much sought after coin by collectors. Their price-performance is well appreciated compared to much modern gold bullion, hence it has stirred the interest of investors as well.

You may also be interested in 1910 S $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin NGC MS 62, 1910 S $20 Gold Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Coin NGC MS 62, 1910 D $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin NGC MS 62, 1909 D $5 Gold Half Eagle Indian Head PCGS MS 63.

1902-1910 British Gold Sovereign Edward VII Avg Circ