Product Specification
Denomination:
Double Sovereign
Precious Metal Content:
14.65 g
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
New / Pre-owned:
Pre-owned
Investing In Gold Double Sovereigns
Double Sovereigns are, for the most part, a collector's coin, seldom issued and generally struck in small numbers, but they can be a great investment piece for knowledgeable gold buyers for five key reasons:
INTRINSIC GOLD VALUE - Double Sovereigns are made from 15.98 grams of 22-carat gold and offer 0.4708 troy ounces of pure precious metal. This is twice the amount of gold compared to a standard 'full' Sovereign, with the value of these coins rising in line with the spot price.
THE SOVEREIGN FAMILY - As part of The Royal Mint's flagship Sovereign family, these coins have a reassuringly long history and are recognised across the globe, making them straightforward to liquidate with any reputable gold or coin buyer when the time comes to sell.
COLLECTOR'S PREMIUM - Low-mintage issues and high-grade pieces can attract premiums well in excess of the bullion value, with early 19th-century proof Two Pound coins the most sought-after, followed by 1911 and 1937 issues. Among modern releases, it's the 1989 Double Sovereign that is in high demand.
VAT AND CGT EXEMPT - Like regular Sovereigns, Double Sovereigns are UK legal tender with a nominal face value of £2, meaning these coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. As gold, they can be bought without VAT. The tax status of these coins may vary outside of the UK.
BULLION DOUBLE SOVEREIGNS - Since 2020, The Royal Mint has issued Double Sovereigns with a bullion strike. These coins are available for a low premium over gold and are more affordable than large 1oz coins while still offering a substantial amount of metal.
- Gold proof 2002 Double Sovereign
- 15.98 grams of 22 carat gold
- Fine proof finish
- 28.40 millimetre diameter
- Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Elizabeth II
- Reverse used in this year only
- Shield design inspired by Queen Victoria Sovereigns
- Artist: Timothy Noad
- Less that 7,000 issued, mostly in sets
- This example graded PF 70 Ultra Cameo by NGC
What Are Double Sovereigns?
Double Sovereigns are British gold coins, made by The Royal Mint. Struck in 15.98 grams of 22-carat gold, these coins are UK legal tender with a face value of Two Pounds (£2).
Part of the Sovereign family, Double Sovereigns were first minted in 1820 during the reign of King George III. Through the 19th and early 20th century, these coins were struck either as pattern coins or issued in a proof format to mark royal coronations.
Since 1980, Double Sovereigns have been struck as collector's coins. For the most part, they can only be found in gold proof Sovereign sets; however, over the last few years, The Royal Mint has also issued them as bullion coins.
What Are Double Sovereigns Worth?
The value of most modern Double Sovereigns lies in their gold value, combined with a varying collector's premium. Low-mintage dates may have inspired high demand, with scarce, individually boxed pieces from the late 1980s and early 1990s particularly favoured.
Grade also significantly impacts the value of Double Sovereigns. Many Double Sovereigns from gold proof Sovereign sets are individually graded by NGC and PCGS, with PF 70 examples commanding high prices, especially for alternate designs, such as those issued in 2002 and 2012.
Grade is particularly important for historic Double Sovereigns, with pieces in impeccable condition worth many times more than worn coins. The 1887 Double Sovereign is a good example, with prices ranging from just above spot to over £15,000 for top-grade examples.
Are Double Sovereigns Rare?
Double Sovereigns are rarer than standard Sovereigns. For most of the last two centuries, they have seldom been issued, and when they were, they were issued in small numbers, with only Quintuple Sovereigns offering higher rarity across the Sovereign series.
- Historic Double Sovereigns - Very few Double Sovereigns were issued before the late 20th century, with only 1887, 1893 and 1902 dates available as currency strikes
- Proof Double Sovereigns - Early proof Double Sovereigns are very rare, and even modern proofs can be hard to find since, in most years, they are only issued as part of gold proof Sovereign sets
- Bullion Double Sovereigns - Modern bullion Double Sovereigns, issued since 2020, are fairly numerous but are significantly harder to get hold of than bullion 'full' Sovereigns
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).
