Arundel Coins and Collectibles

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Gold Sovereigns The Most Widely Traded Coins

Gold Sovereigns contain .2354 ounces of gold and are the series of coins that have been selling for the longest time. Sovereigns are about the size of nickel in US coins. Sovereigns have been minted by the British since 1489. The first Sovereign issued had the portrait of Henry VII.
For the period between 1604 and 1816 the uk bullion Sovereign was replaced with guineas and unites but returned to using the portrait of George III in 1817. George III was Englands king when the US declared its independence. George III is considered the modern sovereign. Modern sovereigns are collected the most as the earlier sovereigns are very expensive and difficult to obtain.
As sovereigns feature the portrait of a monarch most collectors collect by king or queen. The modern sovereign series of monarchs include Elizabeth II, Victoria, Georges III, IV, V and VI, William IV and Edward VII. Many collectors initial goal is to obtain one sovereign per monarch. There are not sovereigns with the portrait of Edward VIII as none were made prior to him abdicating the throne. In 1989 for the five hundredth anniversary of the sovereign a special coin was made to commemorate the event and features the image of Queen Elizabeth II seated on the throne.
Some investors collect by the design on the reverse of the coin. The reverse of many sovereigns has St George slaying a dragon. Another reverse design is a shield. The shields of Elizabeth II, Victoria, William IV and George IV have been used. Interested? Buy gold now!
Other collectors choose to collect by portrait variations. Over the reign of some queens and kings they have used different portraits on the sovereigns over the years. For example, George VI has two different portraits one with and one without a laureate on his head. There were four portraits for Victoria. Two were young portraits with and without a date, a jubilee head and an older portrait. George V had two portraits one small and the other a larger head. Elizabeth II had five portraits that include the first, decimal, third, sovereign in 1989 and the forth portraits.
Another option is to collect by mint mark. The mint mark is a small letter on the coin that indicated where the coin was made. The mint mark is usually above the date, beneath the portrait or on the reverse of the coin. Mint marks include C for Canada, I for India, M for Melbourne, P for Perth, SA for South Africa and S for Sydney. A coin without a mint mark was made in London. All sovereigns have been made in London since 1932.
Another way to collect is by date and is the most difficult collection to obtain all coins. Sovereigns have been minted since 1817 with only a very few gaps in production. The older the coin is the rarer it is and it will cost more to buy. In fact some coins are so rare they are impossible to buy. The ultimate sovereign collection would consist of all years and mint marks and very few collectors have this collection. If coins aren’t something that will keep you interested and hold your attention then why not look at purchasing or looking to buy silver bullion? You might find it more rewarding as the price of silver is set to rise.