1959 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Coin

Gold bullion Sovereigns are possibly the most famous of all gold coins, and a popular choice for both collectors and investors. The Sovereign is frequently known as 'The Chief Coin of the World' owing to the coin's international trading in the 1800s and 1900s. The modern gold Sovereign was first minted in Britain from 1817 until 1917, and then in 1925, 1957–59, 1962–68, 1974, 1976, 1978–82 and 2000 to the present day. Modern gold bullion Sovereign production was paused after 1982 up until the year 2000, although Proof versions were still issued. 

The Gold Sovereign has a five-century long association with national pride, prestige and exceptional minting quality. The first of the modern Sovereign coins carried the head of King George III and the 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci, an Italian engraver who became Chief Medallist at The Royal Mint. Very similar to the Reverse of the 1959 Gold Sovereign Bullion coin. The 1959 Gold Sovereign Bullion coin hosts a portrait of Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick. HM Queen Elizabeth II is the current and longest reigning British monarch of all time. Born on 21st April 1926 to King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Princess Elizabeth became Queen in 1952 and her Coronation was held on 2nd June 1953.

Buy a 1959 Gold Sovereign 

• This pre-owned 1959 gold bullion Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold, weighs 7.98g and contains 7.32g of fine gold. 
• A mintage of just 1,358,228 million Sovereign coins were produced at The Royal Mint for the year 1959, inclusive of a few rare Proof versions. 
• The gold Sovereign is considered to be one of the world's oldest coins still in production and a pinnacle of minting excellence. 
• The perfect gift to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or wedding.

The year 1959

The last year of the 1950s shook the world with change; the birth of the microchip which has enabled many scientific and technological breakthroughs, the opening of the architecturally-stunning Guggenheim Museum in New York, Penguin Book was permitted to start selling 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' for the first time changing censorship protocols, Great Britain was once again plagued by 'smog' despite the Clean Air Act 1956, CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) protests takeover Trafalgar Square in London, the start of the 'Cod Wars' over Icelandic fishing, the first hovercraft is launched, UK postcodes are first used, London Transport introduces the Routemaster double-decker bus, and 30% of households now own a car. 1959 was a remarkable year in history, now immortalised in coinage. 

1959 Gold Bullion Sovereign Coin

The Obverse (front, heads) presents Queen Elizabeth II's first portrait by Mary Gillick. The first Portrait of Elizabeth II was issued on British coinage in 1953, the year of Her Majesty's Coronation. The image hosts a youthful and uncrowned Queen. Gillick's design stood out for its 'approachable' depiction of Elizabeth II. As a tribute to Mary Gillick, the design is still struck on Maundy Money today at The Queen's request. 

The Reverse (back, tails) of the 1959 gold bullion Sovereign hosts the signature 1817 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. 19th century talented Italian engraver Pistrucci was instructed to develop designs for George III's silver and gold coins by The Master of The Mint. Pistrucci also designed the Waterloo Medal for the British Government, a commission which took the artist 30 years to create. 

The coin includes the inscription, 'DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF', which translates to 'By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'. The inscription refers to HM Queen Elizabeth II's position as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Elizabeth II has held the role since her accession to the throne in 1952. 

A small number of Proof versions of the 1959 gold Sovereign were issued but these are exceptionally rare. This 1959 bullion coin may be supplied in an acrylic capsule. 

St George and the Dragon

The ancient legend of 'St George and the dragon' dates back to the reign of William of Malmesbury, during the third century, where inspiration for the story was drawn from a Roman soldier who refused to give up his Christian faith. There are many fabled stories associated with St George, the majority of which honour him as a brave hero with English ideals and a symbol of Christianity. The most well-known tale sees St George as a heroic rescuer on horseback sent to rescue a young maiden or princess sacrificed to a dragon, which he slays to save her life. It is widely believed that the dragon was slain at Uffington's Dragon Hill, a Bronze-age site just 20 miles from our premises. Since 1222, St George has been celebrated on the 23rd April every year in England, the country of which the legend is the patron saint. This is despite St George being unlikely to have ever been deemed of English descent. Mythical St George is also the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany and Greece; and of Moscow, Istanbul, Genoa and Venice (second to Saint Mark).