Sought-after Bombay India Mint King George V Sovereigns dated 1918.
Obverse
Left-facing portrait of King George V by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal. Legend around reads: 'GEORGIVS D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:'.
Reverse
Benedetto Pistrucci's classic Saint George and the dragon design, created for the first modern Sovereigns, struck in 1817. England's patron saint points his sword at a cowering beast from his position on a rearing horse. Date below: 1918. 'I' mintmark to ground below dragon for India Mint.
Specification
22 carat (91.67%) gold Sovereign, struck at the Bombay Mint to historic specifications. Weight: approximately 7.98 grams. Diameter: 22.05 millimetres. Edge: milled.
Grade
Our Best Value India Mint 1918 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.
Buy King George V Gold Sovereigns
George V became King-Emperor in May 1910, following the death of his father, Edward VII. During George's reign the British Empire reached its greatest territorial extent while other European empires fell with the events of the First World War. George was succeeded briefly by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who himself abdicated in favour of his brother who reigned as George VI.
The obverse of George V Sovereigns features Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal's portrait of the King, facing left, as used on all his 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 Benedetto Pistrucci's interpretation of the legend of Saint George and the dragon, created for the first modern Sovereigns, issued in 1817. The date appears below.
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 Bombay Mint, India
Gold Sovereigns were already popular in British India when the Bombay Mint Proclamation of December 1917 authorised the foundation of a Royal Mint branch in the west coast city, then capital of the Bombay Presidency. A new building was constructed for the purpose in the early part of 1918, inside the grounds of an existing mint. The first coins were issued on 15 August using dies and machinery imported from London and gold shipped from South Africa.
Before the end of the year some 1,294,372 Sovereigns would be struck in India, bearing an small 'I' below the cowering dragon. These would be the only Sovereigns struck at the Bombay branch mint which closed its doors in April 1919, after the end of World War One made transporting gold to England a simpler prospect.
Rare 1918I George V Sovereign
As a special, one-year-only issue, George V India mint Sovereigns are sought after by gold collectors and represent a key addition to any Sovereign collection.
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 British Sovereigns, this one is VAT free as investment gold and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt because it's technically UK legal tender. The coin is composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat (916.7) gold (actual gold weight: 0.2354 troy ounces) and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres.
Sell An India Mint 1918 Gold Coin
Got a historic branch mint Sovereign you are looking to sell? We buy India 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.
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