| Coin | Quarter Sovereign 2022 St George and the Dragon |
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Ascension Island is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean which is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The currency of the island is the Saint Helena pound, fixed at parity with the pound sterling. The island has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including the gold quarter sovereign, the specifications of which are compatible with the British quarter sovereign with composition of 22k gold. The nominal face value of the sovereign is £1, hence the quarter sovereign is denominated as one quarter of a pound, or 25p (25 pence).
The reverse of this coin is the first design in the Modern Masters Series that includes three new interpretations of the iconic Saint George and the Dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci, which first appeared on a gold sovereign in 1817.
The collection is a celebration of that 1817 numismatic masterpiece and its legacy that lives on to this day. Former Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark (best known for his Fifth Definitive Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II) was tasked with the first recreation, to be followed by designs by South Africa’s Natanya Van Niekerk and America’s John Mercanti.
This is the first time when "sovereign" coins are struck with a bi-metallic composition. Traditionally, the sovereign is 22-carat gold; this coin is part of an edition of four sizes with the same design, which are struck on blanks made of two types of 22-carat gold - a traditional yellow alloy for the centre, and a "red gold" alloy for the outer ring. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide and "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, in "uncouped" version - showing the Queen's shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.
On the left, in small letters on the Queen's shoulder, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · ASCENSION ISLAND 2022.
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| Reverse | |
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Within a decorative border in Celtic style, the reverse design features a modern depiction of St. George slaying the dragon. The saint is on the left, upon his horse, armoured and wearing a crested helmet and greaves, holding a spear pointed at the dragon. The dragon is on the right and extends its claws as it prepares to meet its enemy.
The designer's initials, JC (for Jody Clark) are above right.
Around above, the inscription ST GEORGE & DRAGON; around below, 1/4 SOVEREIGN. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ST GEORGE & DRAGON 1/4 SOVEREIGN |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in four-coin set.
Mintage limit of 1,549 sold out. |
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| Included in Set |
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2022 Saint George and the Dragon Bi-metallic Gold Sovereign Definitive Set, mintage unknown
6 coins: Five Sovereings Saint George, Double Sovereign Saint George, Full Sovereign Saint George, Half Sovereign Saint George, Quarter Sovereign Saint George, Eighth-Sovereign Saint George
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2022 Saint George and the Dragon Bi-metallic Gold Sovereign Prestige Set, mintage 1,549, limited to 1,549
4 coins: Full Sovereign Saint George, Half Sovereign Saint George, Quarter Sovereign Saint George, Eighth-Sovereign Saint George
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