Limited edition gold proof three-coin 1991 Sovereign set featuring a Half Sovereign, a 'full' Sovereign and a Double Sovereign in their original presentation box.
Royal Mint Gold Proof Sovereign Sets
The very first gold Sovereigns were struck in the 1400s by the Tudor kings and their prestigious legacy was reclaimed when the modern Sovereign was introduced in 1817. Over the next century, Sovereigns became prized across the British Empire, trusted to contain a known and significant quantity of gold.
Sovereigns once circulated across the globe but production ceased with the outbreak of the First World War. Reintroduced in 1957, annual issues attract investors and collectors with limited edition proof Sovereigns - hand-finished for a flawless effect - the most sought-after.
Proof Sovereigns were initially only struck by The Royal Mint to celebrate coronations. The first proof pieces would be issued for collectors in 1979 with limited edition sets offered for the first time in 1980. Since then, boxed sets containing coins from each year's Sovereign family have attracted a dedicated group of collectors.
What Coins Are In 1991 Three Sovereign Sets?
Three coin Sovereign sets issued by The Royal Mint in 1991 contain a range of collectible coinage, including:
The obverse of each of these coins features the third definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf. This effigy shows Her Majesty facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The legends all read: 'ELIZABETH II DEI · GRA · REG · F · D ·'.
The reverses show the instantly recognisable image of Saint George on horseback with the date below. It's an interpretation of the central legend associated with England's patron saint which involves George slaying a fearsome dragon. This motif was designed in 1817 by Benedetto Pistrucci and has featured on many gold Sovereigns down the centuries.
A special, rectangular Royal Mint medal is also enclosed with the coins.
Where To Buy A 1991 Proof Set?
Sovereign sets remain a prestige offer in The Royal Mint's calendar, eagerly anticipated by buyers. The market for older sets is strong, particularly those that include variant designs. Plus, they offer a couple of important tax benefits: Sovereign sets are VAT-free as investment gold and Capital Gains Tax exempt as UK legal tender.
In total, the coin in this three-coin proof set weigh 27.95 grams, equating to a pure gold content of 25.62 grams.
The leaflet included in this 1991 set states that 2,500 of these sets were authorised for issue by The Royal Mint. However, Spink's guide to decimal coinage states that only 1,165 such Sovereign sets were struck this year. Whichever figure is correct, these sets are getting harder to get hold of, more than three decades after they were issued.
This 1991 Sovereign set is practically as issued, the fine proof finish of each coin protected by the original capsules. They come in their red leather Royal Mint box of issue, the lid inscribed with gold lettering and a numbered certificate of authenticity enclosed.
Sell Your Royal Mint Sovereign Set Today
Have you got a 1991 Sovereign set or another Royal Mint proof set you're looking to sell? We buy these collector's pieces as well as a wide range of historic and modern coinage for market-leading prices. All you need to do is fill in the form on our Sell Your Coins page and we'll get back to you with a custom valuation.
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
