The Royal Mint's first modern gold proof Sovereign set, one of just 10,000 issued and one of only two four coin proof sets to feature Arnold Machin’s portrait of Elizabeth II.
The First Modern Sovereign Set
The very first gold Sovereigns were struck in the 1400s by the Tudor kings and their prestigious legacy was reclaimed when the modern Sovereign was introduced in 1817. Over the next century, Sovereigns became prized across the British Empire, trusted to contain a known and significant quantity of gold.
The Sovereign fell out of circulation in Britain with the start of the First World War. Since 1979, the Royal Mint has issued a new proof Sovereigns annually, attracting a dedicated group of collectors. Fresh designs are eagerly anticipated but older issues, particularly proof Sovereign sets remain popular.
In the past, gold Sovereign sets were issued by The Royal Mint to mark coronations. A very small number of proof coins were struck for Her Majesty's 1953 coronation but not issued. Proof Sovereigns would not be regularly struck until 1979 and a proof set would not be offered until 1980. As the first gold Sovereign proof set, the 1980 Four Coin Proof Set is much sought after.
Arnold Machin’s Royal Portrait
All four coins in the 1980 Proof set feature Arnold Machin’s bust of Elizabeth II, known as the 'decimal' portrait. A British sculptor and designer, Machin is responsible for a number of coinage designs as well as the royal portrait that has appeared on British stamps since 1967.
Machin's tiara-wearing effigy of Her Majesty featured on decimal coins from 1968 to 1984 as her second definitive portrait. This portrait only appeared on proof Sovereigns for five years and was only used for two four coin proof sets: those issued in 1980 and 1982.
The four gold coins in the 1980 Proof Set all feature Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George and the Dragon reverse. The Sovereigns included in the set are:
- 1980 Gold Proof Quintuple Sovereign or Five Pound piece, weighing in at 39.94 grams of 22 carat gold, equating to an actual gold weight of 1.1771 troy ounces
- 1980 Gold Proof Double Sovereign or Two Pound coin: 15.98 grams of 22 carat gold (0.4708 troy ounces)
- 1980 Gold Proof Full Sovereign: 7.98 grams and 0.2354 troy ounces of 22 carat gold - also available individually
- 1980 Gold Proof Half Sovereign: 3.99 grams and 0.1177 troy ounces
A Collectible Gold Proof Set
Only 10,000 of these 1980 four-coin proof sets were issued by The Royal Mint.
Inevitably, some of these will have been broken up so its nice to see a complete set in great condition. The status of this product as the first of the modern proof sets has made them particularly desirable.
This 1980 Proof Sovereign set comes in its original packaging from The Royal Mint. This consists of an attractive green leather case with it original certificate. All four gold coins remain in their capsules as issued.
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).
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