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.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
25.92 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
New / Pre-owned:
Pre-owned
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- Three coin 1991 Royal Mint gold Sovereign set
- Includes Half Sovereign, 'full' Sovereign and Double Sovereign
- Each coin shows Benedetto Pistrucci's St George design to the reverse
- The design dates back to the first Sovereigns, issued in 1817
- Obverses all show Arnold Machin's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
- Each coin is struck in 22-carat (916.7) gold
- Finished to proof standard
- Actual gold weight of the set: 25.62 grams
- Comes in original box with a numbered certificate of authenticity
- One of 2,500 sets issued by The Royal Mint in this year
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.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
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Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
