First Bullion Sovereign Since 1982
After an 18-year hiatus, the year 2000 marked the return of the gold Sovereign as a standard bullion coin. Between 1983 and 1999, Sovereigns were only issued in limited proof formats for collectors, with no investment-grade Sovereigns produced.
This changed in 2000, when The Royal Mint resumed production of bullion Sovereigns for global investors, responding to growing demand for trusted, liquid physical gold. The 2000 issue revived the Sovereign's role as a practical investment coin, combining its traditional weight, purity, and tax benefits with renewed availability.
These pre-owned coins were struck for investment, not circulation, and may show minor marks typical of handling and storage. However, each contains the same precise gold content and remains highly sought-after by bullion buyers.
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II
The obverse of the 2000 Sovereign features the fourth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, introduced in 1998 and created by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.
Rank-Broadley's effigy shows the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara and is regarded as a mature and realistic portrayal. It was intended to reflect the dignity and continuity of her reign in the new millennium. The artist's initials - 'IRB' - appear below the truncation of the neck, with the Latin inscription: 'ELIZABETH ∙ II ∙ DEI ∙ GRA ∙ REGINA ∙ FID ∙ DEF ∙', meaning 'Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'.
Saint George And The Dragon
The reverse design is the iconic Saint George and the dragon, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci and used on millions of Sovereigns since 1817.
England's patron saint is shown wearing a flowing cape and mounted on a horse, sword raised as he defeats a dragon coiled beneath him. This timeless motif remains one of the most admired in British numismatics and has become closely associated with the Sovereign series.
The date (2000) appears below the ground line with Pistrucci's 'B.P.' initials to the right of this.
2000 Sovereign Mintage Figures
The Royal Mint struck 129,069 bullion Sovereigns in the year 2000.
This is a remarkably low mintage when compared to the bullion Sovereigns of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which were released in issues that averaged around 5,000,000.
After an 18-year pause in bullion production, this limited release marked the return of the Sovereign as a practical gold investment coin. A separate and much smaller mintage of proof Sovereigns was also issued, intended solely for collectors.
The 2000 Sovereign Range
The range of coins available in the gold Sovereign family exploded in the year 2000, with The Royal Mint issuing the following:
Two different types of gold proof Sovereign set were also released:
- 2000 three-coin Sovereign set (with Half Sovereign, 'full' Sovereign, and Double Sovereign)
- 2000 four-coin Sovereign set (as above with the addition of a gold Five Sovereign)
The Double Sovereign and the proof Five Sovereign were only available in proof sets.
All versions featured the same Ian Rank-Broadley obverse and classic Benedetto Pistrucci reverse.
Collecting 2000 Millennium Sovereigns
Gold Sovereigns offer one of the most efficient and trusted ways to invest in physical gold. The Sovereign's historic design, global recognition, and reliable 22-carat composition make it a foundation of many precious metal portfolios.
The year 2000 holds symbolic appeal as the final Sovereign of the 20th century and the last dated coin of the second millennium. Its release signalled a return to regular annual bullion Sovereign issues and helped re-establish The Royal Mint's position in the global gold market.
While not especially rare, collectors often choose this coin for building date runs or commemorating the millennium in gold. With its combination of classic design, consistent specifications, and commemorative date, the 2000 Sovereign sits at the intersection of bullion and collectability.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
