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The sovereign is a gold coin of the United Kingdom with a nominal value of one pound sterling, so the five sovereigns piece is denominated as having £5 (five pounds sterling) in face value. Struck from 1817 until the present time, the sovereign 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.
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 sovereign piece is a continuation of the pre-decimal gold five pounds, and has been issued as a decimal coin since 1980.
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 normally only distinguished by size and weight, these being exactly in proportion to their face value; however, five pound pieces issued after 2009 are an exception in that they have the designer's full name PISTRUCCI in the exergue and not just his initials.
Since 1817, the composition has always been 22 carat (91.67%) gold.
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously 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.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse depicts, within a beaded border, an illustration of the legend of St George as the slayer of the dragon.
St George is on horseback, advancing to right, wearing a helmet and chlamys (cape, or cloak) fastened in front by a fibula, and holding a sword. His left hand clutches the rein of the horse's bridle, and he does not wear armour, other than on his lower legs and feet, with his toes bare. The saint's horse appears to be half attacking, half shrinking from the dragon, which lies wounded by George's spear and in the throes of death. The point of a spear is broken off in the dragon’s side; the shaft lays on the ground behind the horse.
In exergue, the date: 2019.
In the left field of the exergue, the designer's surname PISTRUCCI. (for Benedetto Pistrucci). |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The Brilliant Uncirculated coin was issued with a special matt finish, boxed in a presentation mahogany box, Royal Mint Product Code: A19, 400 issued from a limit of 500, issue price £2,155.00. |
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