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2001 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign

2001 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign Boxed

Buy a 2001 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign

from
£525.00
(VAT Exempt)
One of just 8,915 proof Sovereigns issued by The Royal mint in this year! This 2001 coin features the fourth definitive portrait of Her Majesty the Queen. Crafted by the sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley, it was in use on British coinage between 1998 and 2015. This mature portrait shows Queen Elizabeth II facing right and wearing Queen Mary’s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. The artists initials - IRB - appear below the portrait. The reverse of this Sovereign shows a classic engraving, long associated with these prestigious gold coins. Design for the first modern Sovereigns, issued in 1817 it is the work of Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci and shows England’s patron saint, George, in the act of slaying a dragon. The beast is crushed under his rearing horses hooves, below which is the date and the artists initials. It’s an instantly recognisable motif. You can appreciate both obverse and reverse as the creators intended thanks to the the fine proof finish of this Sovereign. Intended for collectors, proof coins have a greater degree of detail than their bullion and circulating counterparts thanks to multiple strikes of hand prepared dies. This 2001 issue maintains the rigid specifications set down for British Sovereigns: it’s composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold, has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres and a milled edge. It’s offered in its original case and capsule from The Royal Mint with a numbered certificate of authenticity enclosed.
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Limited edition gold proof 2001 Sovereign in original box with numbered certificate of authenticity.

The Story of the Sovereign

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.

Collectible Proof Sovereigns

While bullion Sovereigns are minted in significant 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, high-contrast finish, achieved with multiple strikes of hand-prepared dies.

Only 8,915 proof Sovereigns were issued by The Royal Mint in 2001, not including those in sets.

The finish is preserved by the original  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 gold Sovereigns which make a great investment.

Like all Sovereigns, this 2001 example is 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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