1911 King George V Gold Full Sovereign Ottawa Mint Canada (Best Value)

Rare Canada Mint Sovereigns from George V's coronation year: 1911.

Obverse

Left-facing portrait of King George V (ruled 1910-1936) by Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal. Legend around reads 'GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:'.

Reverse

Saint George and the dragon design, attributed to Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. Date - 1911 - appears below with a tiny 'C' mintmark to the ground denoting the mint (Canada)

Specification

22-carat gold historic milled coin, struck at the Ottawa mint in 1911. Diameter: 22.05 millimetres. Edge: milled.

Grade

Our Best Value Canada Mint 1911 Sovereigns are graded 'Very Fine' or better by our expert numismatists. VF coins display a high level of fine detail with some wear to the high points and marks associated with having been in circulation. The images on this webpage are stock photographs but represent the type and grade of coin available.

George V Gold Sovereigns

George V ascended the throne in May 1910, following the death of his father, Edward VII. During George's reign the British Empire reached its greatest territorial extent and suffered through the ravages of the First World War. George was succeeded initially by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who himself abdicated in favour of his brother who was crowned King George VI.

The obverse of George V Sovereigns features Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal's portrait of the King, facing left, as used on all of the King's British coinage. This is accompanied by a legend that reads: 'GEORGIVS D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:'. The reverse of these coins shows the iconic image of Saint George, slaying a dragon, created by Benedetto Pistrucci in the early nineteenth century.

Sovereigns were struck in London during George V's reign but also at branch mints in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney and Perth), Canada (Ottawa), South Africa (Pretoria) and India (Bombay). You can identify George V branch mint Sovereigns by examining the ground beneath the dragon on the reverse for a tiny identifying letter.

History Of The Canada Mint, Ottawa

For the first fifty years after the formation of the Canadian Confederation, Canada's coinage was minted in the UK. Gold Sovereigns struck in Britain circulated alongside United States gold until the Yukon gold rush prompted the Canadian government to seek their own branch of the Royal Mint to strike coins domestically.

This new branch mint finally opened in the nation's capital, Ottawa, on 2 January 1908. The first Canadian Sovereigns were struck with George William de Saulles' portrait of Edward VII before George V's accession in 1910. Production would continue until 1919 though always in small numbers: output was never extensive and it's thought that fewer than one million Sovereigns were struck in total at the Ottawa Mint.

In 1931 the Ottawa Mint became The Royal Canadian Mint as the Statue of Westminster affirmed Canada's independence from Britain. Today, The Royal Canadian Mint is known for its innovation, design and expertise in coin production and continues supply all of Canada's circulation coins.

Historic Canadian Gold Sovereigns

All George V Canada Mint Sovereigns are sought after by collectors thanks to their low mintage numbers. Marsh records that just 257,048 of these coins were struck in the King’s coronation year: 1911. You can identify these Sovereigns as originating at the Ottawa Mint thanks to the small 'C' that appears above the date on the reverse.

Our historic gold Sovereigns are individually graded and authenticated by our expert staff. You will receive the coin in the images displayed above.

Grade: GVF - Excellent details and the usual minor contact marks for gold: Good Very Fine.

Like all Sovereigns, this one is VAT free as investment gold and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt because it's UK legal tender. It's composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat (916.7) gold and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres.

Sell A Canada Mint 1911 Gold Coin

Got a historic branch mint Sovereign you are looking to sell? We buy Canada Mint Sovereigns and other rare coins for market-leading prices. Visit our Sell Your Coins page for more information or contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your George V Sovereign.