2001 Full Gold Bullion Sovereign

Invest in limited edition 22-carat gold bullion Sovereigns from 2001 in uncirculated condition.

The History Of Gold Sovereigns

Gold Sovereigns were first struck in England during the reign of King Henry VII. These large hammered coins are so-called because they featured a full-length image of the monarch on their obverse. 

While the Tudors gave their Sovereigns to dignitaries, the modern milled coin of the same name, introduced in 1817, was intended for circulation. Those Georgian coins were the first to be issued with a face value of One Pound and were struck continuously by The Royal Mint for more than a century, both in London and at branch mints across the Empire. Production only tapered off with the dawn of the First World War.

The prestigious legacy lingered as the Sovereign became a popular bullion coin, sought-after by investors worldwide. The Royal Mint revived annual issues in the late 1950s with collectable proof coins and sets joining the roster in later decades, appealing to a global audience of eager buyers.

UK Gold Sovereign Specifications

These Sovereigns are struck to The Royal Mint's bullion standard in 7.98 grams of 22-carat gold. That's 91.67% fineness. They measure 22.05 millimetres in diameter and have a milled edge that is 1.52 millimetres thick.

2001 Sovereigns have an actual gold weight of 7.31 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces.

This specification has been followed to the letter since the first of these coins were struck. That means that historic Victorian 'full' Sovereigns have the same mass and gold content as Sovereigns struck today.

The Royal Mint tests their coinage at the Trial of the Pyx: an annual ceremony with medieval origins where thousands of coins are assayed to ensure they conform to the required dimensions and fineness. Sovereigns are part of the Trial which publicly confirms the quality of these gold coins.

Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George Reverse

2001 Sovereigns feature a reverse inspired by the legend of Saint George and the dragon. The story goes that the warrior saint once liberated a besieged village from the predation of a fearsome beast, rescuing a beautiful princess in the process. 

This design - the work of an Italian artist named Benedetto Pistrucci - has been a perennial feature on these gold coins since they were first struck during the reign of George III. The saint had long been associated with the English monarchy and in choosing George for these prestigious new coins, Pistrucci and the Master of the Royal Mint, William Wellesley-Pole, honoured the King. The martial theme was an appropriate nod to recent British victory on the continent.

Two centuries on, Pistrucci's distinctive, neoclassical St George remains highly regarded by coin collectors. It's been modified a little over the years but retains its appeal. The date appears below the dragon.

Royal Portrait By Ian Rank-Broadley

The obverse of 2001 Sovereigns features one of the most widely reproduced portraits in the world. Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was used on all commemorative, circulating and investment coins issued by The Royal Mint between 1998 and 2015.

The fourth definitive effigy of Her Majesty replaced Raphael Maklouf's third portrait and shows Elizabeth II in her 70s. Rank-Broadley portrays her wearing Queen Mary's Girls Of Great Britain And Ireland Tiara which dates back to the 1890s and has been worn by The Queen regularly throughout her long reign. It's a classic design with enduring appeal.

The portrait fills the surface of this 2001 Sovereign and is surrounded by a legend that reads 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF' with the artist's initials ('IRB') seen below the portrait.

Are 2001 Sovereigns A Good Investment?

There are two key tax benefits that make 'full' Sovereigns a special appeal to serious investors:

• CGT Exempt: As UK legal tender with a face value of £1 Sterling, Sovereigns are exempt from Capital Gains Tax meaning you pay no tax on your profit when it comes time to sell
• VAT Free: Sovereigns are defined as investment gold under UK and EU law meaning that we can offer these coins without Value Added Tax, ensuring a better price than comparable silver and platinum investment products

Other UK gold bullion coins like the gold Britannia offer similar benefits but the appeal of the Sovereign is distinct. Their long history means instant recognition for gold buyers and coin dealers the world over, making it easy to cash your Sovereigns in when needed. Classic designs appeal to numismatists and so too do the limited numbers issued every year.

In 2001 The Royal Mint struck just 49,462 gold bullion Sovereigns. Those looking to acquire a full set of these coins will want to scoop up this edition.

Buy A 2001 Bullion Full Sovereign

Sadly, counterfeit gold Sovereigns are fairly common so it's important to buy from a seller with the expertise to identify fakes. At The Britannia Coin Company, we've been buying and selling Sovereigns for more than a decade. Our team have the know-how to authenticate these coins and the high-end XRF technology to test the composition of each one that comes across our counter.

Our guaranteed authentic 2001 bullion Sovereigns are offered in About Extremely Fine (AEF) condition or better. These uncirculated coins, struck to The Royal Mint's bullion standard, show minimal signs of handling or wear and make great gifts. We also offer mixed-date bullion Sovereigns as part of our best value range: perfect for investors looking to add these gold coins to their stack.

Looking for a 2001 proof Sovereign? We've got those too, available in their original presentation box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.