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. 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 1980.
Apart from the sovereigns of the United Kingdom, the British Crown dependency of Alderney has also authorised some mints to issue double sovereigns under its jurisdiction. These are denominated in Alderney Pounds - the local variation of the Pound Sterling. There is a long-standing tradition in the United Kingdom that this type of coin does not have its value and denomination spelled out on the coin; this is not, however, the case with Alderney sovereigns - which have the face value written on them.
This coin is a modern re-interpretation of one of the world’s most beautiful coins, the iconic Una and the Lion Five Pound piece by William Wyon, issued in 1839 for inclusion in the first specimen coin sets of Queen Victoria's reign. It is part of a series by The Commonwealth Mint commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Queen Victoria, issued for Alderney in a variety of formats.
The obverse of the original showed the young portrait of Queen Victoria, also by Royal Mint engraver William Wyon (1795 - 1851). The reverse draws its theme from Edmund Spenser’s epic poem entitled the Faerie Queene, first published in 1590 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and depicts the Queen as Una guiding the British lion. There is a powerful contrast between the restrained energy conveyed by the lion and the peace and grace of the standing figure of Una. The design is an unusual one for a British coin, being too medallic - but then, it was never intended for circulation. |
Obverse | |
The obverse features the crowned mature effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Joel Iskowitz. The Queen faces right, and wears the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation, pearl earrings and a necklace.
The designer's initials JI are incuse on the Queen's shoulder.
Around above, the monarch's legend ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · ALDERNEY C. I. (Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Alderney Channel Islands).
Below, the date of issue 2019. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse shows the figure of Queen Victoria standing, robed and crowned, holding and orb in her left hand and directing a lion to left, with a sceptre extended in her right hand.
Around, the inscription DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. (translated from Latin: May the Lord direct my steps).
Around below in the exergue, the face value: DOUBLE SOVEREIGN (two pounds). In the left field of the exergue, a privy mark in the form of Queen Victoria's monogram, VR. |
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