Coin | Sovereign 2023 Coronation |
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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 current sovereign - with face value of £1 is a continuation of the pre-decimal sovereign, and has been issued as a decimal coin since 1974.
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 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.
This coin is part of a series commemorating the Coronation of King Charles III.
The mint says about it: "To celebrate the recent coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, our 2023 Sovereign Collection design captures the ancient symbols of heritage and heraldry that inform the King’s family history and combine to form His Majesty’s coat of arms; the Royal Arms, used by the King in his official capacity as monarch of the United Kingdom."
Each of the smaller four denominations depicts a part of the Royal Coat of Arms, while the five sovereigns depict the whole symbol. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King Charles III facing left.
In tiny letters on the neck truncation, the artist's initials: GD (for Glyn Davies).
Around, the monarch's legend: CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.
In the right field below is the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin, designed by by Dutch artist Elles Kloosterman, depicts the crest (the upper part) of the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The crest consists of a knight's helmet surrounded by plumes and crowned with the Crown of Saint Edward, surmounted by a lion walking to left, its head turned towards the viewer. The lion is also crowned with the Crown of St. Edward.
Below, the upper part of the shield is visible, with the tops of its upper left quadrant with the lions of England, and the upper right quadrant with the lion of Scotland.
Above right, a privy mark in the form of the letters CR (for "Charles Rex" - King Charles) within a crown.
In the rim around above, the motto of the British monarchs: DIEU · ET · MON DROIT; it is in French, and means "God, and my right". |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: Proof FDC. Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. East India Company SKU: FG23SOVGP1SV. Release price: £695.00.
Mintage includes 750 individually boxed coins, plus coins in sets. |
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