2005 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Bullion Coin

Buy A 2005 Gold Bullion Sovereign

The 2005 Sovereign is one of only a few modern issues to feature a special one-off reverse, making it a highly desirable addition for collectors and a standout choice among bullion investors.

These Royal Mint coins are struck in 22-carat gold and contain 7.31 grams of fine gold. 2005 Sovereigns were not intended for circulation but may show minor handling marks typical of pre-owned modern bullion coins. Their legal tender status grants them favourable UK tax treatment, and their size makes them practical for portfolio diversification or gradual accumulation.

A Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth II

The obverse of the 2005 Sovereign displays Ian Rank-Broadley's official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used on British coinage from 1998 to 2015.

This instantly recognisable image presents Her Majesty wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, with a mature and dignified expression intended to reflect the authority of her later reign. The artist's 'IRB' initials appear beneath the portrait, and the surrounding inscription reads: 'ELIZABETH ∙ II ∙ DEI ∙ GRA ∙ REGINA ∙ FID ∙ DEF', meaning 'Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'.

2005 Saint George Sovereign Reverse

In 2005, The Royal Mint departed from tradition by commissioning a new reverse design for the gold Sovereign. Created by Timothy Noad, this version of Saint George presents a more stylised image of England's patron saint, shown wielding his sword against a fork-tongued dragon from behind a crusader shield decorated with Saint George's Cross.

The scene is rendered in a bold, modern style, which fills the surface of the coin and sets it apart from the classic engraving by Benedetto Pistrucci used on most other Sovereigns down the centuries. The date 2005 appears at the base, and the artist's initials 'TN' are placed between the horse's leg and the dragon's wing. 

Known for his heraldic art and calligraphy, Timothy Noad MBE is also the artist behind the 2002 Sovereign and the 2022 Sovereign, both of which feature unique, one-year-only designs that are favoured by collectors.

Mintage Figures For 2005 Sovereigns

A total of 45,542 bullion Sovereigns were struck by The Royal Mint in 2005 to meet strong global demand.

This is a relatively low number for a modern bullion Sovereign, but it reflects a trend of smaller mintages from the first decade of the 21st century when the average annual figure fell around the 50,000 mark.

The lasting appeal of the 2005 Sovereign lies in its unique reverse. Unlike most UK Sovereigns, which reuse the same reverse year after year, the 2005 coin offers a unique design, credited to one of Britain's leading numismatic artists.

The 2005 Sovereign Family

The Royal Mint issued a range of gold Sovereigns in 2005, including:

• 2005 bullion Sovereign
• 2005 bullion Sovereign in card
• 2005 proof Sovereign (boxed with COA)
• 2005 bullion Half Sovereign
• 2005 bullion Half Sovereign in card
• 2005 proof Half Sovereign
• 2005 Five Sovereign (with a brilliant uncirculated finish)

There were also two gold proof Sovereign sets released in this year, both supplied in green leather cases.

• 2005 3-coin Sovereign set (with Double Sovereign, 'full' Sovereign and Half Sovereign)
• 2005 4-coin Sovereign set (with the above plus a 2005 Quintuple Sovereign)

All coins in the 2005 Sovereign family share the same Timothy Noad reverse, giving the year a distinct artistic identity across the range.

Collecting Modern Bullion Sovereigns

The 2005 Sovereign has gained a firm following among modern collectors due to its singular design and clear visual difference from other years.

One-year-only reverse designs have always stood out in the Sovereign series and the 2005 issue is no exception. For collectors building portrait runs, reverse type sets, or simply seeking standout modern Sovereigns, this coin holds strong visual and historical appeal.

That said, the value of these coins is primarily driven by their 7.31-gram gold content, which means their price closely follows the live gold spot rate, with dealers typically adding only a modest premium.