Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only), Coin from United Kingdom
CoinDouble Sovereign 2005 (Proof only)

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.

In most recent years, it has borne on the reverse Benedetto Pistrucci's design of Saint George and the Dragon, created in 1817. Occasionally, the Royal Mint also releases one-year types with different designs, as a celebration for major events (usually Royal in nature).

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 1974.

The designs of all denominations are identical, as - according to tradition - this type of coin has never had its value and denomination spelled out anywhere on the coin. The various denominations are only distinguished by size and weight, these being exactly in proportion to their face value. Since 1817, the composition has always been 22 carat (91.67%) gold.

The 2005 double sovereign coins have a new interpretation of the St George and the dragon legend; Timothy Noad's art deco rendition shows the warrior as a knight fighting against the dragon with a sword.

Proof FDC only this year. Issued only in sets, not individually.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 2,958
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only) - obverse photo

The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Reverse
United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only) - reverse photo

A modern interpretation of St George and the dragon: a depiction of St George, armoured and helmeted, with an open helmet visor, carrying a shield and brandishing a sword. The dragon is below left, very much alive and attacking the saint.

The date 2005 is under the wing of the dragon.

The artist's monogram TN (for Timothy Noad) is between the dragon's wing and the horse's leg.

Reverse Inscription 2005
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only): References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint Mintage link
All (40) coins of type: Double Sovereign (Decimal)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Double Sovereign 1980 (Proof only) 10,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1982 (Proof only) 2,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) 13,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Double Sovereign 1985 (Proof only) 5,849 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1987 (Proof only) 1,801 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1988 (Proof only) 1,551 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1989 500th Anniversary 14,936 Seated on Throne, by Bernard Sindall ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 1990 (Proof only) 716 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1991 (Proof only) 620 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1992 (Proof only) 476 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1993 (Proof only) 414 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1996 (Proof only) 742 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · F · D
Double Sovereign 1998 (Proof only) 1,349 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2000 (Proof only) 2,250 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2002 Golden Jubilee 6,947 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2003 (Proof only) 3,787 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only) 2,958 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2006 (Proof only) 2,290 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2007 (Proof only) 2,401 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2008 (Proof only) 2,333 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2009 (Proof only) 2,416 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2010 (Proof only) 2,019 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2011 (Proof only) 2,149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2012 Diamond Jubilee 2,054 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2013 2,019 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2014 1,516 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2015 (Fourth Portrait, proof only) 1,100 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2015 (Fifth Portrait, proof only) 1,046 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2016 90th Birthday Portrait 925 Queen Elizabeth II - Portrait by James Butler ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF
Double Sovereign 2017 Garter 1,198 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2017 ·
Double Sovereign 2018 Sapphire Jubilee 1,480 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2019 (Proof only) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2020 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2021 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2022 Platinum Jubilee unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2022 Memorial unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2023 Coronation unknown King Charles III - First Crowned Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2024 unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2025, Saint George and Dragon unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·
Double Sovereign 2025 Shield unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF · 2025 ·
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Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeDouble Sovereign, One year types (Decimal)
Issued2005
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley
ReverseSt George the Dragon-Slayer
Face Value2 (x Pound)
Total Mintage2,958
CurrentYes
Material0.9167 Gold
DesignerTimothy Noad
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size28.4000 mm
Mass15.9800 g
OCC IDDKLM-EMKC-VAYZ-ENZB
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Double Sovereign 2005 (Proof only): Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Spink, Coins of England and the United KingdomSD6 (was 4422)
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsGreat Britain KM# 1066