2006 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Bullion Coin

22-carat gold uncirculated bullion 2006 Sovereign from a limited mintage.

British Gold Bullion Sovereigns

Gold Sovereigns are issued annually by The Royal Mint, eagerly sought by a host of collectors and investors, keen to acquire these iconic British coins.

Fans of the Sovereign appreciate their gold content as well as their long history which stretches back to the time of the Tudor Kings.

The first Sovereigns were struck during the reign of King Henry VII, the large hammered gold coins were presented to dignitaries as a show of wealth and prestige. The modern Sovereign is redolent with this glamorous legacy. The coin was reintroduced in 1817 in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars and quickly gained a global reputation, struck by The Royal Mint and circulating across the British Empire. Sovereigns fell out of circulation in the early twentieth century but the market for new editions and historic examples remains strong.

UK 22-Carat Gold Investment Coins

The Royal Mint's 'full' bullion Sovereigns are made from 7.98 grams of fine, 22-carat gold. They're composed of 91.67% pure gold with copper added for strength and durability. This gives these coins their distinctive reddish tone.

2006 Sovereigns are composed of 7.31 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces of pure gold.

This specification has remained the same since 1817, meaning that Victorian Sovereigns are the same size and contain exactly the same amount of gold as investment Sovereigns struck today. While the designs have varied over the years each of these coins measures 22.05 millimetres in diameter and feature a milled edge that is 1.52 millimetres thick. There are very few world coins that can claim such a long history of consistent production.

Historic Saint George And The Dragon Design

The reverse of these 2006 coins dates back to the reign of King George III.

When the first modern Sovereigns were introduced, the then Master of The Royal Mint, William Wellesley-Pole (the elder brother of the Duke of Wellington) sought a unique design, distinct from coinage then in circulation.

Wellesley-Pole choose an Italian artist for the task. Newly arrived in London, Benedetto Pistrucci was a talented gem engraver with a firey temper. He learnt the art of die engraving to create this image of St George on horseback, slaying a dragon in an evocation of the saint's primary legend. Though adapted a little over the years, Pistrucci's neoclassical design has become a regular feature on the Sovereign down the centuries, instantly recognisable to those interested in numismatics.

Queen Elizabeth II's Fourth Coin Portrait

Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II features on the obverse of 2006 Sovereigns.

The British sculptor (born 1952) trained at the Slade School of Art and the British School at Rome before returning to the UK to start his professional career, specialising in works in low relief. Rank-Broadley won a private competition to design a new effigy of Her Majesty in 1997 with the portrait introduced to circulating, commemorative and investment coinage the following year. The fourth definitive effigy of Elizabeth II shows her facing right and wearing Queen Mary's Girls Of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. Rank-Broadley portrays The Queen in her seventies, marking a significant update from Raphael Maklouf's very flattering 1985 portrait.

The legend around reads: 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF' with the artist's initials seen below the portrait.

Capital Gains Tax And VAT On Sovereigns

2006 bullion Sovereigns come with a range of benefits that make them appealing to investors.

These coins have a nominal face value of One Pound (£1) Sterling. As UK legal tender they are exempt from Capital Gains Tax meaning you pay no tax on your profit when it comes time to sell. However, the true value of 'full' Sovereigns is tied to their precious metal content and, as investment-grade gold, you'll find that these coins are exempt from VAT meaning we can offer them at a better price than bullion products made from silver, platinum or palladium.

You'll find that gold buyers and coin dealers recognise the value of gold Sovereigns instantly. These coins have a global reputation for purity and desirability and have a place in many investment portfolios as well as serious coin collections. Those interested in numismatics are drawn by the attractive designs and the Sovereign's long history. 

Collectors also value the limited-edition status of 2006 'full' Sovereigns. Just 33,012 were struck by The Royal Mint so these coins command a significant premium over other bullion.

Buy A 2006 Bullion Full Sovereign

All investment Sovereigns offered by The Britannia Coin Company have been carefully authenticated by our expert team. We use specialist XRF technology as well as our decades of experience to ensure you get a genuine British Sovereign. Don't believe us? Just check our eKomi reviews.

These coins are graded About Extremely Fine (AEF) or better, indicating an uncirculated bullion coin with very limited signs of wear or handling. The Royal Mint's bullion coins are designed for investors but also have a place in many serious coin collections.

Interested in 2006 'full' Sovereigns? You might want to take a look at our 2006 proof Sovereigns. These coins feature a fine, highly-detailed finish and come in an attractive presentation box. Just looking to invest in gold? Check out our best value bullion Sovereigns, available in our choice of date.