2005 proof Sovereigns feature a unique, one-year-only Saint George reverse by Timothy Noad.
The Story 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.
Just 12,500 gold proof Sovereigns were struck by The Royal Mint in 2005.
Timothy Noad's Saint George
For much of its long history the modern Sovereign has featured an iconic reverse design, crafted by Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci. His instantly-recognisable Saint George design shows England's patron saint mounted on a horse, slaying a dragon which cowers underfoot.
For 2005 Sovereigns, this historic motif was replaced with a very different Saint George, crafted by heraldic artist Timothy Noad. His design centres on a crusader shield with Saint George's Cross, which protects a sword-wielding Saint, about to strike a winged dragon. It's an action-packed, dynamic image.
Noad's reverse is paired with Ian Rank-Broadley's depiction of Her Majesty the Queen. In use between 1998 and 2015, this fourth official effigy shows a greater degree or realism than its idealised predecessors. Broadley’s initials - IRB - appear below Elizabeth II’s portrait.
Limited Edition Presentation
Your limited edition 2005 proof Sovereign is offered in its original packaging from The Royal Mint. This consists of a velvet lined presentation box in which the coin is situated inside a protective capsule. Also included: a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Also worth considering:
- Our 2005 bullion Sovereigns feature the same design and are graded about Extremely Fine or better
- 2005 four coin proof sets include the 2005 Sovereign, Half Sovereign, Double Sovereign and Quintuple Sovereign
- 2012 Sovereigns also feature an alternate, Saint George-inspired reverse design, crafted by Paul Day
- Just looking to invest in gold? Our best value, mixed year bullion Sovereigns are our top priced offer
All Sovereigns, including those struck in 2005, 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 (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- A 2005 gold proof Sovereign
- Features a flawless finish, achieved with multiple strikes
- One of 12,500 proof Sovereigns minted in this year
- Reverse features reinterpretation of classic St George
- One-year-only design crafted by heraldic artist Timothy Noad
- Obverse shows Ian Rank-Broadley's bust of Elizabeth II
- 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold
- 22.05 millimetre diameter
- Offered in its original box with a numbered certificate
- VAT and Capital Gains Tax 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.
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.
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