The 2026 Full Sovereign marks a historic return to the traditional yellow gold alloy used from 1817-1999, moving away from the rose gold composition in use since 2000. For the first time in the coin’s modern history, new anti-counterfeiting features have been introduced: microtext reading ‘HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE’ (the Order of the Garter motto) on the reverse, and a latent image security feature on the obverse that changes appearance when viewed from different angles. The coin features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George and the Dragon design on the reverse and Martin Jennings’ uncrowned portrait of King Charles III on the obverse.

Available now from Gerrards – LBMA Affiliate and Official Royal Mint Partner

History of Gold Sovereign

Since the year 650, several mints across Great Britain minted coins. Around the year 1540, most of the mints closed and the Royal Mint was the only mint in operation.

Great Britain abandoned the striking of coins by hand in 1663 and introduced new manufacturing processes. The use of screw presses and horse-drawn rolling mills enabled the manufacture of what became “milled coins”.