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2016 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Bullion Coin

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2016 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Bullion Coin Obverse

Buy a 2016 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Bullion Coin

The 2016 Gold Sovereign is a trusted investment coin issued by The Royal Mint, containing 7.31 grams of pure gold and struck in traditional 22-carat (91.67%) gold. Produced during the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, these bullion coins feature Benedetto Pistrucci’s classic Saint George and the dragon reverse design, paired with the fifth definitive coinage portrait of the Queen by Jody Clark. While a special portrait was used on some collectors proof editions in 2016, these pre-owned bullion Sovereign retain the standard obverse and were struck primarily for investors. As UK legal tender, the 2016 Sovereign is Capital Gains Tax exempt, and VAT-free as investment gold, making them a practical and highly liquid way to hold physical gold in a format recognised worldwide.

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Description Summary Investment Info Specification About us

Buy A 2016 Gold Sovereign

Issued for investment purposes, the 2016 Sovereign offers the same design, weight, and purity that have defined the series for over 200 years. Struck by The Royal Mint in the year of Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday, this coin combines a trusted bullion weight of 7.31 grams of pure precious metal with a moment of royal significance.

2016 Sovereigns were not struck for circulation, but as pre-owned bullion, they may show minor marks or imperfections from handling and storage. However, they remain an excellent choice for gold investors thanks to their liquidity, tax efficiency, and established market demand.

Jody Clark's Royal Portrait

The obverse of the 2016 bullion Sovereign features the fifth and final coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, introduced in 2015 and designed by Jody Clark.

This portrait shows the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem, with enhanced depth and detail to reflect the maturity and dignity of her later reign. The surrounding inscription reads 'ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF', meaning 'Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'.

There were two different royal portraits used on gold Sovereigns in 2016, authorised to celebrate Her Majesty's 90th birthday and adding an additional historic appeal to this annual issue. 2016 proof Sovereigns feature a one-year-only effigy, created by James Butler.

Saint George And The Dragon

The reverse displays Benedetto Pistrucci's timeless engraving of Saint George slaying the dragon, first introduced on Sovereigns in 1817.

This neoclassical composition depicts Saint George mounted on horseback, sword raised, as he defeats the winged dragon beneath him: a design symbolic of courage and triumph. Pistrucci's St George has been a perennial presence on gold Sovereigns for two centuries and remains beloved by collectors.

The inscription below shows the date (2016) with the engraver's initials ('B.P.') appearing at the lower right of the image.

2016 Sovereign Mintage Figures

The Royal Mint produced the 2016 bullion Sovereign to meet global demand for investment gold. While we can assume that the mintage was fairly large, the exact figures for bullion 2016 Sovereigns have not been published by the Mint.

In addition to the standard investment coin, a range of proof Sovereigns was also struck, including a special edition with a commemorative obverse portrait to mark the Queen's 90th, as well as multi-coin proof sets and Struck On The Day pieces.

The 2016 Sovereign Coin Range

The extensive 2016 Sovereign family includes:

2016 bullion Sovereign
2016 proof Sovereign (with commemorative birthday portrait by James Butler)
2016 brilliant uncirculated Sovereign (in box with COA)
2016 'Struck On The Day' 90th Birthday Sovereign
2016 bullion Half Sovereign
2016 proof Half Sovereign
2016 brilliant uncirculated Half Sovereign (rare)
2016 proof Quarter Sovereign
2016 brilliant uncirculated Five Pounds

Proof Double Sovereigns and gold Five Pound coins were only issued in sets, four of which were released in 2016:

2016 three-coin Sovereign set (with Sovereign, Half Sovereign and Quarter Sovereign)
2016 'Premium' three-coin Sovereign set (Double Sovereign, Sovereign and Half Sovereign)
2016 five-coin Sovereign set (Five Sovereign, Double Sovereign, Sovereign, Half Sovereign and Quarter Sovereign)
2016 Queen's Birthday set (a 2016 Sovereign, paired with a 1926 Sovereign from the year of Elizabeth II's birth)

Are 2016 Sovereigns Valuable?

The value of a 2016 Sovereigns is closely tied to the current gold spot price, as each coin contains 7.31 grams of fine gold. These coins are primarily traded as bullion, meaning their market worth reflects the live gold price plus a modest dealer premium.

While 2016 bullion Sovereigns are not rare in a numismatic sense, their recognised format, tax advantages, and association with a significant royal year - the Queen’s 90th birthday - can make them more appealing to certain collectors. As a result, coins in excellent condition or those presented alongside others in a date run may attract a slightly higher resale value.

In general, as the price of gold rises, so does the value of the 2016 Sovereign, making it a practical and flexible way to invest in physical precious metal over the long term.

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 2016 gold Sovereign worth?

The value of a 2016 Sovereign is primarily based on the current gold price, plus a small premium. Each of these Royal Mint coins contains 7.31g of fine gold and they remain highly liquid due to their recognisable format and tax advantages.

Does the 2016 bullion Sovereign have the special portrait?

No, only the 2016 proof Sovereign features the one-year-only commemorative portrait by James Butler marking the Queen's 90th birthday. The bullion version features the standard fifth portrait by Jody Clark which was introduced in 2015 and used through until 2022.

How many 2016 Sovereigns were minted?

The Royal Mint has not released mintage figures for 2016 bullion Sovereigns or any bullion Sovereign date since this year. We do know that just 7,995 proof Sovereigns were released in 2016 which is a standard mintage for a Sovereign from the 2010s.