2020 Gold Proof Sovereign George III Royal Cypher - 5-Coin Set

Royal Mint Official Partner

Chards is an official partner of The Royal Mint, and our products are directly sourced from their mint headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales.

History of the Gold Sovereigns

The English sovereign was first issued as a gold hammered coin in 1489 for the King Henry VII. Designed by German engraver, Alexander of Bruchsal, the obverse featured the King in his coronation robes seated upon his throne, symbolising the power, success and splendour of the fledgling Tudor dynasty. 

Although the first British gold sovereign was issued in 1489 for Henry VII, the modern gold sovereign was first struck in 1817 under George III. Issued with a nominal value of one pound, it was a circulation coin in Britain until the middle of World War I and abroad until 1932. The sovereign was reintroduced in 1957 as an investment coin to meet demand for gold bullion.

Today, the vast majority of British gold sovereigns showcase Benedetto Pistrucci's St George and the dragon design on the reverse, paired with various monarchs over time. Notably, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty King Charles III now graces the obverse of the sovereigns, including the 2022 memorial sovereigns, the 2023 Coronation sovereigns, and the new 2024 sovereign range.

What Is a Proof Coin?

These proof coins are struck to a much higher standard than bullion coins. The blanks are struck up to 6 times each in order to give the coins the very best finish - meaning even the quarter Sovereign has an incredible amount of detail for such a small coin.

Proof coins are typically produced in limited quantities and may feature unique packaging, certificates of authenticity, or other distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from standard coins.

Due to their limited production and exceptional finish, proof coins generally command higher prices than regular coins of the same denomination and are highly prized by both collectors and investors.

Sell Your Sovereign Coins to Chards

Are you ready to sell your gold sovereign coins to Chards? We guarantee competitive rates to all sellers, whether you choose to visit us in our showroom, use our postal service, or opt for our distance buy-in service.

What Is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a form of levies imposed on the profit garnered from the sale of assets, such as real estate, investments, and collectibles. In the United Kingdom, the present CGT allowance is £3,000 per annum per individual, which implies that one can earn up to £3,000 from the sale of assets prior to being subject to CGT. Read our CGT guide for more information to see what bullion coins are exempt from CGT and the ones which are.

Obverse

The obverse of the coins feature the Jody Clark fifth coinage effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. 

The text reads:

ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF

Reverse

The reverse shows the iconic St. George and the Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci. This design has been used since 1817 on the reverse of most dates of Sovereigns, with a few exceptions. The Royal Mint have digitally remastered them using the original tooling. 

To the left of the date you can find a royal cypher mint mark. This commemorates the 200th year since the death of King George III. 

Specification