| Coin | Quarter Sovereign 2019 Seated Britannia |
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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 quarter sovereign - with face value of 25 pence is the only sovereign denomination with no pre-decimal counterpart; it was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2009.
Apart from the sovereigns of the United Kingdom, the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha has also authorised some mints to issue half sovereigns under its jurisdiction. These are denominated in Saint Helena Pounds - the local variation of the Pound Sterling. Following long-standing tradition, this type of coin has never had its value and denomination spelled out anywhere on the coin.
The Mint says about this coin:
The coin is part of the 2019 Queen Victoria Sovereign Collection which celebrates one of the most extraordinary chapters in British history and is a unique tribute to Queen Victoria’s greatest coinage during her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland and later Empress of India. Released on the 200th Anniversary of her birth, each coin in this beautiful heritage collection is inspired by the original design widely considered to be Queen Victoria’s finest and greatest. It is issued as a long-lasting tribute to one of Britain’s most significant Monarchs, and her Empire on which it was said, the Sun never set.
Featuring the allegorical symbol of Great Britain as found on coinage since the reign of King Charles II, the 2019 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof Coin bears the image of a Seated Britannia, found on Queen Victoria’s penny and farthing denominations during her reign. Facing right with trident in her left hand and resting her right hand on a Union Jack emblazoned shield, this beautiful gold proof Quarter Sovereign is beautifully engraved and issued to celebrate the Bicentenary of Queen Victoria’s birth in 2019. |
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| Obverse | |
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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. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows, within a beaded border, the figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain - seated facing right, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face, resting her right hand on a shield bearing the combined crosses of the Union Flag, and holding a trident in her left hand.
Below left, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated.
Around left and right, the inscription DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS; translated from Latin, it means "May the Lord direct my steps". The inscription was first used on the Una and the Lion five gold sovereigns in 1839. In exergue, the date of issue, 2019. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS 2019 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof.
Packaging: in presentation box with Certificate of Authenticity (2,019 coins), or in sets (700 coins).
East India Company SKU: SH19QSOV
Issue price: £225.00 |
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