Double Sovereign 2022 Platinum Jubilee, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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 Royal Mint says about this edition:
Made for kings and queens since 1489, and representing the pinnacle of the art of minting, The Sovereign has been renowned throughout history for its strength, reliability and accuracy. In 2022, The Royal Mint unveils a special edition that commemorates a historic royal event - Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Since 1952, The Queen has carried out her royal duties with unwavering grace and dedication, honouring the promise she made in a televised speech where she pledged her ‘heart and devotion’ to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marks a milestone in a truly remarkable reign and a feat of such eminence deserves special commemoration.

To honour this achievement, which we likely won’t see again for centuries, the 2022 Sovereign features a rare change in reverse design and instead displays an interpretation of the Royal Coat of Arms by the esteemed heraldic artist Timothy Noad, which makes this his third reverse design for The Sovereign.