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1998 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign

1998 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign Boxed

Buy a 1998 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign

£550.00
(VAT Exempt)
Limited edition gold proof Sovereign, dated 1998. These prestigious gold coins have been struck by The Royal Mint since 1817 though their name comes from an earlier Tudor gold coin. This 1990s edition features the same reverse that was used on the 1817 coins which shows England’s patron saint on horseback in the act of slaying a dragon. The Saint George engraving is the work of Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci. It’s been a perennial presence on gold Sovereigns down the years. This is paired with a modern portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley to the obverse. The definitive coinage portrait used on British money changed in this year from the previous effigy by Raphael Maklouf to the updated, older version by Rank-Broadley. This portrait would be used on Sovereigns right through to 2015 but this is its first outing. Like all gold Sovereigns, this one is composed on 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres. It’s finished to proof standard. Proof coins have a finer finish than their bullion counterparts and are intended for collectors who appreciate their look and the fact that less are minted. Only 11,349 were issued in this presentation. You’ll receive your 1998 gold proof Sovereign in its original presentation packaging with a numbered certificate of authenticity.
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Gold proof Sovereign from 1998, the first to feature Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait.

Gold Sovereigns: History

The first Sovereigns were struck during the reign of Tudor king Henry VII. Centuries later, a new gold coin bearing this name was introduced, following a major overhaul of British coinage. This Sovereign, first minted in 1817, established specifications that are still strictly followed today.

All Sovereigns weight exactly 7.98 grams and are composed of 22 carat gold. That's a gold weight of 7.32 grams or .2354 troy ounces. Sovereigns measure 22.05 millimetres in diameter and have a nominal face value of one pound sterling though their gold content means they command significantly higher prices.

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.

Pistrucci's Saint George

For much of its history the modern Sovereign has featured an iconic reverse design, crafted by Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci. His instantly-recognisable Saint George and the Dragon design shows England's patron saint mounted on a horse, slaying a dragon underfoot.

It's a powerful image that has become synonymous with the gold Sovereign. These coins don't carry their denomination on their face as part of their legend like most currency, so the Saint George motif is an easy identifier for many collectors. The coin's date appears below the dragon.

Pistrucci’s reverse is paired with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Her Majesty the Queen. In use between 1998 and 2015, this fourth official effigy shows a greater degree of realism than its idealised predecessors. Broadley’s initials - IRB - appear below the truncation of Elizabeth II's neck.

Limited Edition Coin

While bullion Sovereigns are minted in large numbers by The Royal Mint each year, only a small number of proof coins are offered. Intended for collectors, proof coins have a high-definition finish, achieved with multiple strikes of hand-prepared dies.

Just 11,349 1998 proof Sovereigns were issued by The Royal Mint, not including those in sets.

The finish is preserved by the original velvet-lined presentation box that the coin comes in. Also included: a numbered certificate of authenticity.

If you're interested in buying Sovereigns you might want to consider our best value, mixed-year Sovereigns which make a great investment.

All Sovereigns are exempt from Capital Gains Tax as UK legal tender and free from VAT in the UK and EU as investment grade gold.

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