The Sovereign was first commissioned by Henry VII as ‘a new money of gold’ to strengthen the authority and legitimacy of the new Tudor dynasty. This remained in production until the reign of James I when it was replaced by another gold coin. After a break of just over 200 years, The Sovereign was revived in 1817. The iconic design of St George and the dragon, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci is featured on the reverse of this coin. Pistrucci’s famous reverse design has since appeared on Sovereigns struck for each monarch since the reign of Queen Victoria.
Continuing this tradition, the 2024 Sovereign brings together Pistrucci’s classic design with the official coinage portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings, for the first time on a Proof Sovereign. Each coin and set is accompanied by packaging detailing the history of The Sovereign, and the stories of St George and the dragon, Benedetto Pistrucci and King Charles III.