Gold-proof four coin Royal Mint Sovereign set from a limited edition presentation of just 300.
What Are 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.
With the outbreak of the First World War, Sovereigns fell out of circulation in Britain but rare proof editions were included in commemorative sets, issued by The Royal Mint to mark the accession of King George VI.
Another proof set was minted in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation year but these are not available on the open market. The production of bullion Sovereigns would resume in 1957 with Sovereign sets offered to the general public again in 1980, quickly becoming a core release in the Mint's annual release schedule, eagerly anticipated by fans of these famous UK gold coins.
What Coins Are In 2019 Sovereign Sets?
This 2019 Sovereign set contains four key coins from the 2019 Sovereign family:
- 2019 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Double Sovereign
- 2019 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign
- 2019 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Half Sovereign
- 2019 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Quarter Sovereign
These coins are struck to standard specifications in 22-carat (91.67%) gold. The total weight of the coins in this set is 29.95 grams. Together the set has a pure gold weight of 27.45 grams or 0.8825 troy ounces.
Proof coins represent the highest available quality on the collectibles market. Struck multiple times with hand-prepared dies they boast a level of detail far superior to comparable bullion editions.
Sovereigns With Saint George Reverse
The four coins in this 2019 Sovereign set feature an instantly recognisable reverse, created for the first modern Sovereigns during the reign of King George III.
These new gold coins required a distinctive design. The then Master of the Royal Mint, William Wellesley Pole commissioned an Italian artist for the task. Benedetto Pistrucci was newly arrived in London and took up the task of engraving dies himself, dissatisfied with the skills of the Mint's engravers.
The neoclassic design that Pistrucci produced centres on the legend of St George and the dragon, depicting the warrior Saint on horseback, aiming his weapon at a fearsome beast that cowers beneath his horses hooves. Coins in the 2019 Sovereign family feature a slightly modified version of this historic and highly-regarded numismatic design. The artist's initials - 'B. P.' - can be seen below the dragon to the right of the date.
Read more: George and the Dragon: Benedetto Pistrucci's Masterpiece.
Jody Clark's Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth II
The obverse of 2019 Sovereigns features Jody Clark's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
During the course of Her Majesty's long reign, Sovereigns were struck with five distinct royal portraits, created by distinguished British artists. These show Elizabeth through her life, from the 25-year-old who acceded to the throne, captured by Mary Gillick's youthful first effigy to Clark's fifth and final design which shows the Queen as a great-grandmother, approaching her 90s when the portrait was created.
Clark was 33 when his design was chosen via a private competition, becoming the first Royal Mint engraver in decades to have a portrait featured on circulating coinage.
Her late Majesty is shown facing left, wearing the Diamond Diadem, made for the coronation of George IV. Each jewel is picked out in fine detail on the proof coins in this set. The legend reads: 'ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·'.
Are 2019 Sovereign Sets Collectible?
Gold-proof Sovereign sets are offered by The Royal Mint in very limited numbers each year. Intact sets are considerably rarer than individually packaged proof coins and can be hard to get hold of decades after they were issued.
Just 300 4-coin proof sets were issued by The Royal Mint in 2019.
Our proof sets are offered in excellent condition with all their original packaging intact and information booklets and certificates of authenticity included. Securing a set in its original box with a numbered certificate can increase its future resale value if these items are stored carefully. The coins themselves remain sealed in their acrylic capsules, each inspected carefully to ensure authenticity.
If you're interested in Sovereigns from 2019 you might want to consider other proof and bullion coins from this range, including:
VAT And Capital Gains Tax Exempt
Gold Sovereigns as well as Half Sovereigns, Quarter Sovereigns, Double Sovereigns and Five Sovereign coins are legal tender in the UK. You would not want to spend them in a shop but their status offers a significant tax benefit. When you come to sell you can expect unlimited tax-free profit thanks to a Capital Gains Tax exemption that applies to UK currency. Normally, you would expect to pay CGT at a rate of 20-28% if your gains exceed the tax-free allowance.
That's not the only factor that makes these sets a smart investment.
As Sovereigns are composed of 91.67% gold these coins are also subject to a Value Added Tax exemption. For most silver and platinum investment coins you can expect to pay VAT at the current rate of 20%. In the past you would have had to pay VAT on gold too but these days we can offer coins like Sovereigns - including proof editions and sets - without VAT, ensuring a better price for buyers.
Where To Sell A 2019 Gold Sovereign Set?
We buy gold Sovereign sets for market-leading prices at The Britannia Coin Company. Visit us in Royal Wootton Bassett for an instant offer or visit our Sell Your Coins page to get a custom quote online. We're keen to buy 2019 4-coin Sovereign sets as well as a wide range of collectible coinage.
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).
