Sovereign 1902, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

A gold coin (22 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a bare head of Edward VII facing right; below, the artist's initials DeS; around, EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT: OMN:REX F:D: IND:IMP: and on the reverse St. George on horseback holding short sword and wearing a helmet, cape and boots, the horse rearing over dragon whose side is pearced by a broken lance, the haft of the lance is on the ground behind the horse; the date, 1902 and artist's initials B.P. in exergue; the mint mark (if any) in ground line above middle of date.

Although Edward VII acceded to the throne in 1901, he was not crowned until 1902, and the first coins issued for him were dated 1902, all 1901 dated coins continuing to bear Queen Victoria's head. As sovereigns remained in circulation as pound coins until the First World War, most Edward sovereigns are quite worn. Because 1902 was the first date of his reign, some people tended to store a few nice shiny new coins, although few could afford to save sovereigns.