The very first gold Sovereign was struck during Henry VII’s reign. On 28th October 1489, the king ordered the officers of his Royal Mint to produce “A new money of gold.” Then in 1817 a new gold coin almost half the weight and diameter of the original Sovereign, but it was equally as beautiful. The reverse featured an image of St George Slaying and the Dragon that had been designed by one of the most celebrated gem engravers in the world, Benedetto Pistrucci. |