In 1986 the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue Sovereign Gold Proof 3 Coin Set struck in solid 22 Carat Gold and includes the £2 Double Sovereign, Full Sovereign, Half Sovereign all struck in solid 22 Carat Gold.

The first sovereign was struck during the reign of Henry VII (1485 - 1509). Henry VII took a special interest in the coinage and because the obverse of the new coin depicted the King enthroned in regal splendor, it was known as a Sovereign.
It continued to be struck until shortly after the accession of James I in 1603 when it was replaced by other gold coins.

Following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the famous Guinea was introduced, together with the Half Guinea, Two Guineas and Five Guineas. Later, in 1817 as part of a wide-ranging reform of the coinage, the Sovereign and its accompanying Half Sovereign were re-introduced by George III.

Provision was also made for a Two Pound Piece but, like the Two Guineas, it did not prove popular and was last struck for circulation in 1902.
Proof pieces, however, have continued to be made on occasion. The 1986 Set is of special interest to collectors of United Kingdom gold coins as it includes a change of design.

Since 1893 the Pistrucci design has appeared on the reverse of all United Kingdom gold coins, but this year the reverse of the Two Pound bears a new design showing a Scottish Thistle and Laurel Wreath, superimposed on St Andrew's Cross.
The design created by Norman Sillman commemorates the XIII Commonwealth Games which are being held in Scotland in 1986. This is the first time that a legal tender commemorative coin has been issued in the United Kingdom to mark a sporting occasion.

The reverse design of the Sovereign and Half Sovereign remain unchanged and continue to show the classical portrayal of St George slaying the Dragon, created by former Royal Mint engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.
The design first appeared on the sovereign of 1817 and is one of the oldest numismatic designs still in regular use.

The obverse depicts the portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II by sculptor Raphael Maklouf which was authorised for use on United Kingdom Coins from 1986.
These legal tender coins have been struck to the highest Proof Quality using specially selected blanks and highly polished dies.

• Limited Mintage of 12,500 Sets Worldwide
• Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality
• Sovereign Gold Proof 3 Coin Set Struck in Solid 22 Carat Gold
• Includes £2 Two pound Gold Coin Celebrating the Commonwealth Games
• Features St George Slaying the Dragon Designed by Benedetto Pistrucci
• Royal Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity (Cert Number Might be Different than Shown)