Buy top-quality 2003 22-carat gold bullion Sovereigns to add to your stack.
What Are Bullion Gold Sovereigns?
The first Sovereigns were struck in the Kingdom of England during the reign of Henry VII. The Tudor and Stuart Kings presented these large hammered gold coins to courtiers and diplomats as a symbol of their majesty. Surviving examples are highly prized by collectors.
Centuries later the name was revived for a new gold coin. These modern Sovereigns were introduced as part of The Great Recoinage: a shake-up of British currency that took place in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. First struck in 1817, the new Sovereign replaced the gold Guinea.
Initially, Sovereigns were only produced in London. Later, The Royal Mint opened branches across the Empire, taking advantage of gold rushes in Australia and South Africa. The Sovereign ceased to circulate in the early twentieth century but retained its reputation as a bullion coin, popular around the world. Today these coins are issued annually for the investment market with collectable proof editions offered for a host of eager buyers.
What Are Bullion Sovereigns Made Of?
The composition of British coins like gold Sovereigns is tested publically at the annual Trial of the Pyx. In this historic ceremony, dating back to medieval times, Royal Mint coins are assayed by members of the Company of Goldsmiths to ensure they meet the required dimensional and fineness.
The Mint requires their Sovereigns be struck in exactly 7.98 grams of 22-carat (91.67% pure) gold.
'Full' Sovereigns struck in 2003 have a pure gold content of 7.31 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces.
These coins measure 22.05 millimetres in diameter and have a milled edge that is 1.52 millimetres thick. These are specifications that have been followed closely since these coins were first issued and apply to both bullion and proof 'full' Sovereigns, distinguished by the number of times they are struck during the production process and the level of detail in the resulting coin.
Saint George And The Dragon Reverse Design
This 2003 coin features a classic reverse design, long associated with the gold Sovereign, showing St George - England's patron saint - in the act of slaying a dragon from his position on horseback. The warrior Saint wears a flowing cloak and a Corinthian helmet, his sword pointing at the beast under his steed's hooves.
The instantly-recognisable engraving originated in 1817, inspired by the recent military victories on the continent and the succession of King Georges occupying the British throne. St George had been associated with England since the middle ages.
The design is the work of an Italian artist named Benedetto Pistrucci who created the engraving on the orders of then Master of the Royal Mint, William Wellesley-Pole, brother of the Duke of Wellington. Pistrucci's Saint George - so different in style from contemporary coinage - has become a calling card of these gold coins, used with only minor modifications for nearly two centuries.
Ian Rank-Broadley's Portrait Of Elizabeth II
The fourth definitive coin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is shown on the obverse of 2003 Sovereigns. This royal effigy is the work of British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and was first seen on circulating, commemorative and bullion coins in 1998.
Rank-Broadley trained at the Slade School of Art before starting a career specialising in low-relief sculpture. His work can be seen at the National Memorial Arboretum, Kensington Palace, numerous museums and on various collectable coins. He's most famous for his coin portrait of Her Majesty, unveiled in 1997 to replace Raphael Maklouf's third effigy.
The Queen is shown wearing the Girls of Great Britain And Ireland Tiara, created for the future Queen Mary in the late nineteenth century and worn regularly by Elizabeth II during her reign. Rank-Broadley's initials ('IRB') can be seen below Her Majesty's neck with the legend around reading: 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF'.
Do 2003 Sovereigns Increase In Value?
We're not financial advisors but when our customers ask us what gold coin they should choose to diversify their portfolio, we always recommend gold full Sovereigns like these 2003 coins. Here's why we think they're a sensible buy for any investor:
- Limited Edition: Just 43,230 bullion Sovereigns were issued by The Royal Mint in 2003
- Internationally Recognised: Any reputable gold buyer or coin dealer will recognise a genuine Sovereign making it easy to sell these gold coins on in the future
- Small Size: At 7.98 grams, 'full' Sovereigns are more affordably priced than larger one-ounce bullion coins, plus it's easy to divest a small portion of your collection to realise funds
- Exempt From Capital Gains Tax: When it comes time to sell you won't pay CGT on your 2003 Sovereigns - they're exempt as UK legal tender
- Free From VAT: We don't have to charge Value Added Tax on Sovereigns because they're composed of investment-grade gold, giving them an edge over comparable silver bullion options
- Beautiful And Collectible: Sovereigns have been struck by The Royal Mint for more than 200 years - acquiring each one of these attractive coins can be an intoxicating challenge for a serious collector
Buy A 2003 Bullion Full Sovereign
Our 2003 investment Sovereigns are all graded About Extremely Fine (AEF) or better. You'll receive an uncirculated coin that has minimal signs of wear or handling, ideal for gifting. The Royal Mint's bullion finish ensures a high-quality strike, perfect for adding to your stack.
Fake Sovereigns are common but we've got decades of experience identifying them. Our expert team use high-tech XRF technology to check the composition, ensuring you get a genuine, full-weight Sovereign every time. Don't believe us? Check our top-notch eKomi reviews.
We've also got proof 2003 Sovereigns available. These coins are rarer than their bullion counterparts and have a finer finish, achieved with multiple strikes of hand-preapred dies. It's also worth checking out our best value Sovereigns if you're just looking to invest in gold. These bullion coins come in our choice of date, guaranteeing you a high-quality 22-carat gold coin to add to your stack.
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
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).
