Coin | Five Sovereigns 2020 Saint George |
---|
|
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 five sovereigns coin - with face value of £5 is a continuation of the pre-decimal five sovereigns, and has been issued as a decimal coin since 1980.
This coin is part of the 2020 series of five sovereign denominations which features five different designs dedicated to King George III.
The coin was designed by Nick Martin, based on a drawing by Veronica Mackinnon.
The Mint says about it: King George III ascended the British throne in 1760 and was to become England’s longest-ruling monarch until his granddaughter Queen Victoria. During his 59-year reign he presided over victory in the Seven Years’ War, a successful resistance to the threat of a Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and most famously the loss of the American Revolution. His reign saw the acquisition of Australia and New Zealand to the British Empire, the abolition of the Slave Trade throughout British colonies and the uniting of Great Britain and Ireland by the Act of Union creating a new "United Kingdom".
A devoted family man, King George III was conscientious and well educated with a keen interest in science and the arts. Commemorating one of Britain’s most famous and controversial monarchs on the 200th anniversary of the end of his reign in 1820, this series of five 2020 Sovereign denominations promises to be one of the most faithful and unique tributes to his reign celebrating some of his most exceptional coin designs and exploring the fascinating stories behind them.
In 1818, new crown coins of 5 shillings were minted in the fifty-eighth year of King George III’s reign, the first such coins ever issued since he became King in 1760. The reverse designs seen on these large silver coins included the classic and iconic numismatic masterpiece of Benedetto Pistrucci’s “St George slaying the Dragon”. His exemplary creation was first included on British gold Sovereigns in 1817 which were issued as part of Great Britain’s revised coinage that fundamentally changed the everyday commerce of Britain the year before with the introduction of the Great Recoinage. |
|
Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in tiny letters below left, above the Queen's shoulder.
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena. |
|
|
Reverse | |
The reverse depicts an illustration of the legend of St George as the slayer of the dragon, in a new interpretation.
St George is on horseback, advancing to left, wearing a plumed helmet helmet and full armour, spearing the dragon with a long lance which he holds with both hands. The saint's horse appears to be also attack the dragon, which is rearing its head high.
Around the rim, the Royal motto · HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · (translated from Old French: May he be shamed who thinks badly of it), and the date of issue 2020. |
|
|
Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
Notes | Finish: proof. Packaging: in presentation box with Certificate of Authenticity (50 coins), or in sets (100 coins). Issue price: £3,495.00 |
---|
|
|
See also |
Saint Helena coins depicting Saint George and the Dragon: - Half Gold Sovereign, Saint George and the Dragon, 2019 - Five Gold Sovereigns, Saint George and the Dragon (Veronica Mackinnon, Nick Martin), 2020 - Gold Sovereign, Saint George and the Dragon, 2021 - Half Gold Sovereign, Saint George and the Dragon, 2021 - Quarter Gold Sovereign, Saint George and the Dragon, 2021 - Double Gold Sovereign, Saint George and the Dragon (William Wyon), 2023 - 1 oz Gold, Saint George and the Dragon (William Wyon), 2023 - 1 kg Silver, Saint George and the Dragon (William Wyon), 2023 - 1 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon (William Wyon), 2023
|
---|
|