The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set, Coin Set from United Kingdom - detailed information

The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set
Set NameThe 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set
United Kingdom / The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set - photo

This two-coin set is one of the "historic" issues by the Royal Mint combining a newly released coin with a historic coin taken from circulation.

The mint says about it:
"The 2025 edition of The Sovereign pays tribute to its rich history, paying homage to Jean Baptiste Merlen’s Royal Arms design that first appeared 200 years ago. A poignant pairing, this two-coin set includes The Sovereign 2025 and a George IV Sovereign from 1825 - 1830. Both coins feature Merlen’s Royal Arms design on the reverse with the modern remastering of the design on The Sovereign 2025 and the original Merlen ‘shield back’ design on the other, brilliantly preserved for collectors to cherish.

Before emigrating to the United Kingdom, Merlen was a medallist for the Paris Mint. His most famous work during this period was his 1804 design for the Napoleonic medal celebrating the ‘Proclamation and Coronation of Bonaparte as Emperor’, after which the Frenchman began building a reputation as a talented designer.

However, the Napoleonic Wars soon derailed any plans he had to stay in his native land and Merlen left France following Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. On British shores, Merlen joined The Royal Mint in 1820. Despite his notable design experience in France, he had to contend with both Benedetto Pistrucci and William Wyon, two of The Royal Mint’s greatest talents.

In 1821, just one year after commencing his employment at The Royal Mint, Merlen was tasked with providing a numismatic coinage portrait of George IV. Based on an original work by renowned English sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey, Merlen’s subsequent engraving appeared on the 1823 Double-Sovereign, marking his Sovereign debut."

The modern sovereign coin in the set is in Proof FDC grade, while the historic sovereign is in "fine or better" grade.

MintRoyal Mint Mintageunknown
Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases
(affiliate ad)
PackagingIn walnut presentation box with coins in individual plastic capsules
Notes

The set comes in a luxury wooden presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Release date: 4 November 2024.

Coins included in the set
Advertising
Buy American Gold Buffalo Coins
Buy American Gold Buffalo Coins
Coin Set Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Issued2025
Coins2
Mintageunknown
Mintage Limit200
Coins GradeProof FDC (PR65 and above)
Material0.9167 Gold
Release PriceGBP 2,295.00
Product CodeHISSOV2
Search Similar Coin Sets to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Coin Set Photos
ImageDetails
The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set: Photo The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set The 200th Anniversary of the Shield Back Sovereign Two-Coin Set
Copyright: Royal Mint
Source