In 1981 the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue St George and the Dragon Gold Proof Full Sovereign Coin struck in solid 22 Carat Gold.
The Sovereign, deliberately created to convey the majesty and dignity of the English Throne, was first struck as a coin in 1489 during the reign of King Henry VII and was duly struck in turn by each of the Tudor Monarchs.
Shortly after the Stuart succession, however, James I brought the issue of the Sovereign to an end and it did not reappear for another 200 years. The Coinage reform that followed the Napoleonic Wars brought the return of this magnificent coin and for the new Gold Sovereign of 1817 the traditional heraldic reverse was abandoned in favour of a George and Dragon of classic beauty by Benedetto Pistrucci.
Now acclaimed as a masterpiece of numismatic art and famed throughout the world, Pistrucci's St George graces the solid 22 Carat Gold Proof Full Sovereign of 1981 while the obverse features the portrait of the Queen by Arnold Machin. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Limited Issue Presentation of 32,960 Worldwide
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof standard in 22 Carat Gold
Features St George Slaying the Dragon by acclaimed designer Benedetto Pistrucci
Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity/Information Booklet
