Golden Sovereign King Charles III - Elizabeth II Commemoration 2022

Sovereign 2022 - Memorial Elizabeth II.

An exclusive Sovereign gold coin issued by The Royal Mint in 2022 to commemorate the late Elizabeth II.
The Sovereign gold coin is prized by collectors for its design and craftsmanship. Benedetto Pistruccio's iconic St. George and the Dragon motif has only been replaced on significant occasions in the coin's history, in 1989, 2002, 2005, 2012 and 2022. The 2022 vintage was unique, with two special motifs even being created. The first and fifth overall celebrated the platinum jubilee of Elizabeth II. The second and sixth motif, issued in bullion in 2023, was backdated to 2022. The issue of these coins thus symbolically honoured the life and reign of Elizabeth II in the year of her death. It also heralded a new phase of the monarchy with the first coin portrait of the successor Charles III. The annual issues can be considered a necessary part of the Sovereign's numismatic collection.

The coin's reverse design was created by British medallist Jody Clark, who is also the author of the last coin portrait of Elizabeth II struck on British coins between 2015 and 2023. For the commemorative Sovereign, he has created a traditional yet novel interpretation of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom, which has had an irreplaceable place in British numismatics for centuries. The reference to Elizabeth II is a heraldic depiction of the Crown of St Edward, which will be replaced by the Tudor crown from the Royal Cypher of Charles III. The motif, with its distinctive ornamental style, makes extensive use of rococo acanthus elements.
The royal arms incorporate the main elements that were combined as a result of the Act of Union with Scotland in 1707 and Ireland in 1801. The quartered shield represents the nations of the United Kingdom. The first and fourth quadrants show the three passive guardian lions of England (leopards) dating from the reign of Richard I. In the upper right, Scotland is represented by an untamed lion framed by a double border of mirror-arranged lilies. The harp of Ireland is at the bottom left. The standard bearers are the crowned lion of England and the unicorn of Scotland with a crown chained around its neck. The insignia of the Order of the Garter 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE' ('Shame on him who is wrong-minded') is encircled behind the shield. The national floral symbols (rose, thistle and shamrock) adorn the heraldic ribbon at the bottom of the coin, which bears the French motto 'DIEU ET MON DROIT' ('God and my right') and the year of issue '2022'. The small mark of the designer "J.C" appears in the right part of the coin's field.
Gold Sovereigns were first minted between 1817 and 1917, following a decision by the British government in 1816 to stabilise the currency of Great Britain in the face of the economic and economic difficulties caused by the impact of the Napoleonic Wars. Sovereigns were reissued in 1925 and have continued to be minted since 1957. They have been issued in bullion form for the investment metals market since 1979. The coin takes its name (translated as Sovereign) from the English Gold Sovereign of 1489-1604, the obverse of which depicted the Sovereign seated on the throne.

The obverse of the coin bears the first coin portrait of Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. According to tradition, the King is looking the other way from Elizabeth II in her coin portraits. The description of the coin states "CHARLES III - D - G - REX - F - D" and the face value.

This product is part of the following product sets: