British Gold Sovereign
Also known as: Sovereign
Well documentedSupported by multiple reputable specialist catalogues or publications.
Period
1817 onwards
Issuing entity
United KingdomGold sovereign of the United Kingdom, reintroduced in 1817 and most associated with the St George and the dragon reverse engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci.
Historical context
The sovereign was struck at branch mints of the British Empire as well as in London; branch mint marks are a principal collecting distinction.
Physical characteristics
- Metal
- Gold
- Denomination
- One pound (sovereign)
Design
- Reverse
- St George slaying the dragon
- Engraver
- Benedetto Pistrucci
Identification
- Mint mark
- Branch mint letters appear on the reverse ground line in relevant issues
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Weight and fineness figures to be transcribed from a verified reference
- Branch mint inventory and operating dates to be sourced