In 1998 the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue solid 22 Carat Gold Proof Sovereign 4 Coin Set and includesthe £5 Five Pound Piece, £2 Double Sovereign, Full Sovereign, Half Sovereign.
The Sovereign, first issued as a Coin of the Realm in 1489 during the reign of Henry VII, was created to convey the majesty and dignity of the English Throne. It continued to be struck by each of the Tudor monarchs but, shortly after the Stuart succession, James I brought the issue of the Sovereign to an end and it did not re-appear for another 200 years until the Coinage was reformed during the reign of George III. The revived Sovereign bore on its reverse a George and Dragon of classic beauty by Benedetto Pistrucci. Now justifiably acclaimed throughout the world as a masterpiece of numismatic art, this classic portrayal has graced the reverse of nearly every Sovereign issued since the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Yet the modern Sovereign is not admired solely for its outstanding reverse design. The obverse design depicts Ian Rank Broadley's portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. These legal tender coins have been struck to the highest Proof Quality using specially selected blanks and highly polished dies.
Limited Mintage Presentation of 789 Coin Sets Worldwide
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid 22 Carat Gold
Includes the £5 Sovereign, £2 Double Sovereign, Full Sovereign and Half Sovereign Coins
Features St George Slaying the Dragon Designed by Benedetto Pistrucci
Royal Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity Sealed with Book
