1989 four coin Sovereign set with unique designs by Bernard Sindall for the 500th anniversary of the first Tudor Sovereigns.
Five Hundred Years of Gold Sovereigns
The very first gold sovereigns were struck in 1489, during the reign of Henry VII: the first King of the Tudor dynasty. These early English sovereigns were much larger than those issued today but their prestigious legacy meant the name was reclaimed when the modern coin was introduced in 1817.
The coins in this four-piece set celebrate the long history of this prestigious coin with unique obverse and reverse designs by British artist Bernard Sindall.
Sindall was inspired by the earliest hammered sovereigns. Surviving examples feature a complex design, filled with symbols of royalty and imagery associated with the Tudor monarchs, most prominently the instantly recognisable Tudor Rose.
A One-Off Portrait of Elizabeth II
Coins from this 500th anniversary Sovereign set display a similar image of Elizabeth II, facing forward from King Edward's Coronation Chair and holding the Sovereign's Sceptre and Rod of Equity and Mercy. The 1989 Sovereign was the first time that the Queen was shown seated on her coinage. The inscription that circles the portrait in ornate gothic lettering reads: 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF'.
The reverse the four coins feature the shield of the British royal arms, ensigned by an open King's Crown, set upon the double Tudor Rose. The legend reads: 'ANNIVERSARY · OF · THE · GOLD · SOVEREIGN · 1489 · 1989'. This is the first and only time that the word 'sovereign' has appeared on a British coin though foreign mints sometimes used the word. Ordinarily, Royal Mint Sovereigns do not bear their denomination.
Collectible Anniversary Proof Set
The 1989 4 coin proof set includes a Quintuple Sovereign, a Double Sovereign, a 'full' Sovereign and a Half Sovereign. All are composed of 22 carat gold and finished to proof standard.
This four-coin set is from a limited mintage of 5,000 pieces.
The 500th anniversary Sovereign sets are among the most sought after of Elizabeth II proof sets, thanks to their unique designs, only ever used for these 1989 coins. This set is presented in its original leatherette case with its numbered certificate of authenticity
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
62.23 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- Four coin 1989 Sovereign set
- Contains a Quintuple Sovereign, a Double Sovereign, a 'full' Sovereign and a Half Sovereign
- Unique obverse and reverse designs by Bernard Sindall
- Authorised to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Sovereign
- Obverse: seated portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
- Reverse: crowned Tudor rose with royal coat of arms
- Only time the word 'Sovereign' has appeared on this denomination
- Struck to proof standard in 22 carat gold
- 25.62 grams of fine gold
- Offered in original box with certificate of authenticity
- VAT and CGT exempt
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.
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