Double Sovereign (Decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Double Sovereign (Decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1980 - )
Coin TypeDouble Sovereign (Decimal)

The sovereign is a gold coin of the United Kingdom, with a nominal value of one pound sterling. Struck from 1817 until the present time, it was originally a circulating coin (see pre-decimal Sovereign) accepted in Britain and elsewhere in the world; it is now a bullion coin not intended for circulation, the intrinsic value of which is much higher than its face value.

In most recent years, it has borne on the reverse Benedetto Pistrucci's design of Saint George and the Dragon, created in 1817. Occasionally, the Royal Mint also releases one-year types.

There are several denominations of the Sovereign: Five Sovereigns (Quintuple Sovereign, five pounds gold), Double Sovereign, Full Sovereign, Half Sovereign and Quarter Sovereign; the current double sovereign - with face value of £2 is a continuation of the pre-decimal double sovereign, and has been issued as a decimal coin since 1974.

The designs of all denominations are identical, as - according to tradition - this type of coin has never had its value and denomination spelled out anywhere on the coin. The various denominations are only distinguished by size and weight, these being exactly in proportion to their face value. Since 1817, the composition has always been 22 carat (91.7%) gold.

Obverse
United Kingdom / Double Sovereign (Decimal) - obverse photo

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend in Latin.

Obverse Inscription Legend of the ruling British monarch
Reverse
United Kingdom / Double Sovereign (Decimal) - reverse photo

The reverse depicts, within a beaded border, an illustration of the legend of St George as the slayer of the dragon.

St George is on horseback, advancing to right, wearing a helmet and chlamys (cape, or cloak) fastened in front by a fibula, and holding a sword. His left hand clutches the rein of the horse's bridle, and he does not wear armour, other than on his lower legs and feet, with his toes bare. The saint's horse appears to be half attacking, half shrinking from the dragon, which lies wounded by George's spear and in the throes of death. The point of a spear is broken off in the dragon’s side; the shaft lays on the ground behind the horse.

In exergue, the date: [year].

Below the exergue line at right are the artist's initials B.P. (for Benedetto Pistrucci).

Reverse Inscription [year]
EdgeEdge Inscription
Notes

See also:
- Saint Helena Double Sovereign

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Royal Mint
Coin Type: Double Sovereign (Decimal) - (41) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Double Sovereign 1980 (Proof only) 10,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1982 (Proof only) 2,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) 13,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1985 (Proof only) 5,849 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1987 (Proof only) 1,801 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1988 (Proof only) 1,551 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1989 500th Anniversary 14,936 Seated on Throne, by Bernard Sindall ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 1990 (Proof only) 716 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1991 (Proof only) 620 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1992 (Proof only) 476 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1993 (Proof only) 414 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1996 (Proof only) 742 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1998 (Proof only) 1,349 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2000 (Proof only) 2,250 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2002 Golden Jubilee 6,947 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2003 (Proof only) 3,787 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2004 (Proof only) 1,749 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only) 2,958 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2006 (Proof only) 2,290 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2007 (Proof only) 2,401 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2008 (Proof only) 2,333 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2009 (Proof only) 2,416 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2010 (Proof only) 2,019 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2011 (Proof only) 2,149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2012 Diamond Jubilee 2,054 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2013 2,019 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2014 1,516 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2015 (Fourth Portrait, proof only) 1,100 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2015 (Fifth Portrait, proof only) 1,046 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2016 90th Birthday Portrait 925 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by James Butler ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2017 Garter 1,198 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2017 ·
Double Sovereign 2018 Sapphire Jubilee 1,480 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2019 (Proof only) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2020 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2021 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2022 Platinum Jubilee unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2022 Memorial unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2023 Coronation unknown King Charles III - First Crowned Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2024 unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2025, Saint George and Dragon unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2025 Shield unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF · 2025 ·
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Double Sovereign (Decimal): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Sub-types Double Sovereign, St George (Decimal)
Double Sovereign, One year types (Decimal)
From1980
Face Value2 (x Pound)
CurrentYes
Material0.9167 Gold
DesignerBenedetto Pistrucci
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size28.4000 mm
Mass15.9800 g