Strike of the day Brilliant Uncirculated 2017 Sovereign, celebrating 200 years since the first modern Sovereigns were minted.
History of the Sovereign
The earliest Sovereigns were struck during the reign of Tudor king Henry VIII. 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.
200th Anniversary Edition
1 July 2017 marked 200 years since a royal proclamation ordered the very first modern Sovereigns. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, The Royal Mint authorised a rare 'strike of the day' Sovereign in a brilliant uncirculated finish.
The reverse recreates the original variant of Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic Saint George motif, as used on the 1817 Sovereign. While most modern Sovereigns feature only the mounted patron saint, dragon and date to the reverse, the earliest Sovereigns enclosed this design within a stylised garter.
This design was also utilised for 2017 proof Sovereigns. The strike of the day BU 2017 Sovereign is distinguished by a plain edge.
The obverse shows Jody Clark's portrait of Her Majesty the Queen: the fifth such official effigy used on her coinage.
An appropriate 1,817 of these BU 2017 Sovereigns were issued, recalling the year the first modern Sovereigns were struck.
Brilliant Uncirculated Sovereign
Your 2017 BU Sovereign is offered in its original packaging from The Royal Mint. This consists of a maroon card box and a glossy wood presentation case within which the coin is situated in a protective capsule. Also included: a numbered certificate of authenticity.
What other Sovereign options are available:
All Sovereigns, including those struck in 2017, are exempt from Capital Gains Tax as UK legal tender and free from VAT in the UK and EU as investment grade gold.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
7.32 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952- present)
Finish:
Brilliant Uncirculated
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Brilliant Uncirculated - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- 2017 brilliant uncirculated Sovereign
- Struck on 1 July 2017
- 200 years after the first modern gold Sovereigns were authorised
- 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold
- 22.05 millimetre diameter
- Reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci's St George
- Obverse shows portrait of Elizabeth II by Jody Clark
- From a limited edition presentation of 1,817
- Offered in original packaging with numbered certificate
- VAT and Capital Gains Tax free
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.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
When you buy online with the Britannia Coin Company, you're guaranteed a fully protected service. 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.
Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
Product Reviews
I have a £ 1 sovereign gold coin 1817. I bought it as a commemorative gold coin 200 years later. The gold coins were wonderful.
kotani hisashi
22nd November 2021
