2000 Full Gold Bullion Sovereign

Highly sought-after by investors and collectors, gold bullion Sovereigns are possibly the most famous of all gold coins. Often referred to as 'The Chief Coin of the World' owing to the Sovereign's international trading in the 19th and 20th centuries. The contemporary gold Sovereign has been minted in Britain since 1817, and again from 1817-1917, 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 first of the modern Sovereigns hosted a portrait of King George III and the 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. Pistruccin was an Italian engraver who became Chief Medallist at The Royal Mint. This 2000 Sovereign coin hosts a portrait of the longest reigning monarch of all time, HM The Queen, Elizabeth II. 

Buy a 2000 Gold Sovereign 

• This pre-owned 2000 gold bullion Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold, weighs 7.98g and contains 7.32g of fine gold.
• Ideal for marking special occasions including a twenty-first birthday.
• A mintage of only 129,069 bullion Sovereign coins were produced at The Royal Mint for the year 2000. 
• The first gold bullion Sovereign for 20 years since production stopped in 1982. It is also the first bullion Sovereign of the new millennium and the 21st century.  
• The gold Sovereign is considered to be one of the world's oldest coins still in production and a pinnacle of minting excellence. 

The year 2000

The dawn of a new century and a new millennium. The year 2000 saw; the opening of London Eye and Millenium Bridge, the grand opening of the Millennium Dome (now known as the O2 Arena) by HM The Queen, the world plagued by the 'Year 2000 problem (Y2K)' computer calendar data glitch nicknamed the 'Millennium Bug', Ken Livingstone elected as the first independent London Mayor, the first broadcast of reality show Big Brother, the Queen Mother turning 100, and the production of the Mini ending at MG Rover after 41 years. The year also witnessed the first London tram opening since 1952, Colin Fallow setting the British land speed record at 300.3mph, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary awarded the George Cross. 2000 was a remarkable year in history, now immortalised in coinage. 

2000 Gold Bullion Sovereign Coin

The Obverse (front, heads) presents Queen Elizabeth II's fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley. Elizabeth II is captured in the 'Girls of Great Britain & Ireland' Royal Diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary in 1947. Her Majesty also wore the crown at her 1953 Coronation ceremony. It is the first bullion Sovereign to host this Portrait. 

The Reverse (back, tails) of the 2000 gold bullion Sovereign hosts the signature 1817 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. This is the classic design's first appearance in a new millennium. In the 19th century, Italian engraver Pistrucci was instructed to create designs for George III's silver and gold coins by William Wellesley-Pole, The Master of The Mint. A renowned Pistrucci later engraved the Portrait of the Prince Regent on being crowned King George IV.

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 and Her Majesty remains a devout Christian. 

The 2000 gold bullion Sovereign coin may be supplied in an acrylic capsule.

The Legend of St George and the Dragon

An ancient legend with a number of fabled stories associated with him, St George's legacy dates back to the 3rd century. The most familiar story recounts St George as a rescuer on horseback sent to slay a dragon to save a young maiden or princess. It is widely believed that the dragon in the mythical tale was slain at Uffington's Dragon Hill, a Bronze-age site just 20 miles from our premises. As the Patron Saint of England, St George celebrated on the 23rd April every year. 

The Reverse depicts 'St George and his dragon', in the classic design by Benedetto Pistrucci. The Obverse design of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is the fourth portrait design, by Ian Rank-Broadley.