Five-coin gold proof Sovereign set featuring Paul Day's Diamond Jubilee reverse.
Gold Sovereign Sets
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. Now they’re a regular feature of The Royal Mint’s offer.
Diamond Jubilee Reverse
In honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, The Royal Mint held a competition to find a special, one-time reverse for the 2012 Sovereign. The winning entry was by the British sculptor, Paul Day. Day's design is a take on Pistruccis' famous Saint George and the dragon scene, used on these coins since 1817.
Day's design fills the field and makes the dragon, snapping at the horses heels, as large as the figure of England's patron saint. The date is squeezed in beneath the beast's belly. It represents an emerging tradition at the Mint for celebrating royal anniversaries with alternate Sovereign designs.
This dynamic engraving 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.
Five Coin Presentation
This five coin Sovereign set was the largest offered in the Diamond Jubilee year (three coin and five coin sets were also sold). It contains a Five Sovereign (£5), a Double Sovereign (£2), a 'full' Sovereign, a Half Sovereign and a Quarter Sovereign - the full Sovereign family issued by The Royal Mint in this year.
Just 956 of these 5-coin sets were offered in 2012.
Each coin is struck to proof standard. Intended for collectors, proof coins are struck multiple times with hand finished dies for a superior appearance. In other respects these coins conform to the standard measurements and weights, excepting the alternate 2012 reverse.
You'll receive your five-coin Sovereign set in its original wood presentation packaging, lined with velvet. You'll also receive an information booklet and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Interested in 2012 Sovereigns? We're carrying an extensive range including single proof 2012 Sovereigns and graded examples including a beautiful PF 70 Five Sovereign Diamond Jubilee coin.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
64.06 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
New / Pre-owned:
Pre-owned
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- Five-coin proof Sovereign set
- Issued in 2012 the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
- Coins in this set feature a special reverse design
- Saint George and the Dragon reinterpretation by Paul Day
- Obverse shows Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait
- All five coins finished to proof standard
- Total weight: 69.87 grams of 22 carat gold
- Standard dimensions for each individual coin
- One of just 956 five piece sets issued in 2012
- In original box with numbered certificate of authenticity
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.
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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.