Saint George Sovereign Reverse Design
The classic St George and the dragon design seen on gold Sovereigns was created in 1817 by an Italian artist named Benedetto Pistrucci.
Pistrucci was born in Rome, Italy and came to London in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. He engraved coins for the Royal Mint during a period when British money was being overhauled, a process known as the Great Recoinage.
Pistrucci's most famous design for British coinage is undoubtedly his depiction of England's patron saint, shown on a rearing horse above a winged dragon. The original engraving, used on early gold Sovereigns and some silver Crowns, is surrounded by a stylised garter which bears the motto of the order of the garter 'HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE'.
This iconic coin engraving has been used in a modified form on millions of gold Sovereigns over the last two centuries and is regarded as one of the most beautiful to ever grace British coinage.
Read more: George And The Dragon: Benedetto Pistrucci's Masterpiece
The Royal Mint's Great Engravers Series
In 2024 Pistrucci's St George design became the sixth release in the exclusive Great Engravers series from the UK's national mint.
The Great Engravers collection is a celebration of British coinage design, remastered using modern, high-tech imaging equipment and traditional craftsmanship. By closely replicating rare originals, the series offers serious collectors a chance to own sought-after historic coins.
The first coins in The Great Engravers series feature the work of 19th-century Royal Mint engraver William Wyon. This included his Una and the Lion and Three Graces designs, followed by a two-part release recreating Wyon's iconic Gothic Crown. 2023 saw a reissue of the famous Petiton Crown, created by 17th-century engraver Thomas Simon. Since then, the collection has turned to coins designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, starting with his St George and the dragon engraving, followed by his monumental Waterloo Medal.
Great Engravers coins are available in a range of sizes in either a 24-carat gold or 999 silver proof finish. The collection features some of the largest coins ever made in the United Kingdom, including 1kg, 5kg and 10kg pieces. All Great Engravers coins are limited edition and have become highly prized by collectors of modern UK coins.
Coins In The 2024 St George Collection
The Saint George collection was unveiled by The Royal Mint on 15 February 2024 with their website stock quickly selling out.
Our new stock has now sold out but we are proud to offer a range of high-quality pre-owned coins from this sought-after range, including the low mintage 2oz gold proof edition.
- 2024 St George 5kg Gold Proof (LEP: 1)
- 2024 St George 2kg Gold Proof (LEP: 2)
- 2024 St George 1kg Gold Proof (LEP: 5)
- 2024 St George 2oz Gold Proof (LEP: 195)
Three silver proof St George coins have been issued with notably low mintages, particularly when compared with the previous single issue, the Gothic Portrait.
Notably, 1kg and 2kg silver proof coins are absent from this issue whereas they have formed an integral part of previous Great Engravers releases.
A small number of St George collectors sets have also been issued, featuring the new release alongside historic coins. This includes:
Another ultra-exclusive one-off historic set has also been reported, featuring a 2oz matt finish gold proof coin, plus a 1820 Double Sovereign, an 1821 gold Coronation Medal, an 1821 'full' Sovereign and a St George trial piece.
In May 2024, a collection of St George bullion coins was announced, with a release date set for the summer. Available in a range of precious metals, these coins will be the first issue in a series exploring the legend of St George.
