2001 Gold 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. 

In nearly every gold bullion Sovereign, the Monarch's portrait is depicted on the coin's obverse. The first of the modern Sovereigns hosted a portrait 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. This 2001 Sovereign coin hosts a portrait of the longest reigning monarch of all time, HM The Queen, Elizabeth II. 

Buy a 2001 Gold Sovereign 

• This pre-owned 2001 gold bullion Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold, weighs 7.98g and contains 7.32g of fine gold.
• A mintage of only 49,462 bullion Sovereign coins were produced at The Royal Mint for the year 2001.
• Ideal to mark a 20th wedding anniversary or birthday. 
• 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 2001

The year 2001 saw; the opening of the Eden Project and Cardiff Bay Barrage, the first Harry Potter film, the Royal Family mark Princess Alice's 100th birthday, Prince William enrol at the University of St Andrews, and a Labour Party re-election. However, 2001, is also remembered as a more sombre occasion with; the 9/11 tragedy, the war in Afghanistan, the murder of the Nepalese Royal Family by their own heir to the throne, anti-capitalist riot escalations, and the Foot and Mouth Crisis in the UK. 2001 was a poignant year in history, now immortalised in coinage. 

2001 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. 

The Reverse (back, tails) of the 2001 gold bullion Sovereign hosts the signature 1817 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. Italian engraver Pistrucci was instructed to create designs for George III's silver and gold coins by then Master of the Mint, William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl of Mornington. 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 2001 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.