Royal Mint Announces the 2025 Proof Sovereign: Its Biggest Innovation Yet!

A Historical Coin

The gold sovereign, one of the world's oldest continuously produced coins, debuted in 1489 under Henry VII. While not the first gold coin or minted in England, it was the largest and most impressive of its time. The original weighed 15.55 grams (0.500 troy ounces) with a 42mm diameter.

In 1817, George III introduced the modern sovereign, nearly half the size and weight. This version featured Benedetto Pistrucci's iconic St. George and the Dragon design, still used today. Gold sovereigns are highly respected by collectors and feature portraits of reigning monarchs, including the current King Charles III.

Hundreds of years later, gold sovereigns have remained a popular way for UK residents to diversify their portfolios with gold bullion, thanks to their exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT), historical background, and ease of liquidation. For the latest information on how Capital Gains Tax applies to gold and silver bullion, visit our Comprehensive Guide to Capital Gains Tax on Bullion. Or explore our CGT exempt gold and silver coins category page that includes a wide variety of bullion coins issued by The Royal Mint.

The Final Rose Gold Sovereigns

In 2025, The Royal Mint announced that the 2025 sovereign range would be the final opportunity for collectors and investors to own rose gold (red gold) sovereigns. This decision was based on feedback from the majority of coin collectors and investors, who preferred a return to traditional yellow gold, as many felt it looked more like gold compared to the rose gold sovereigns. This was followed by The Royal Mint stating that the 2026 sovereign coin range would be struck with alloys to make the coin's appearance yellow gold once again.

To mark this turning point and new direction, The Royal Mint unveiled two 2025 gold sovereign coin designs. One of the 2025 gold proof sovereigns features the iconic depiction of St. George slaying the Dragon, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci. Throughout Pistrucci's long tenure at The Royal Mint, he became one of The Royal Mint's greatest engravers. His legendary design has appeared on gold sovereigns for over 200 years and continues to do so in this release.

A Bi-Centennial Celebration: The Return of the Shield Design!

The second release of 2025 gold proof sovereign coins commemorates the 200th anniversary of Jean Baptiste Merlen's iconic Royal Arms shield design. It would also mark the first sovereign to feature both Merlen’s design and the official coinage portrait of His Majesty King Charles III.

First featured on the sovereign in 1825 for then British monarch George IV, this design is faithfully remastered for the 2025 edition, paying homage to its enduring legacy. The Merlen shield design features a crowned Royal Arms, encircled by a laurel wreath and beaded border. This classic design has appeared on various British coins, including Queen Victoria's young head gold sovereigns. Additionally, The Royal Mint is releasing a Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) five-sovereign piece featuring Merlen's remastered Royal Arms shield design.

Please see our key detail table for gold proof and BU sovereign coins with the remastered Merlen shield design.

Who Was Jean Baptiste Merlen?

Jean Baptiste Merlen was a renowned French engraver, initially employed by the Paris Mint before eventually joining The Royal Mint in 1820. Merlen designed several iconic British coins throughout his career and is best known for his work on the gold sovereign, creating the Royal Arms shield design on gold sovereign coins.

Merlen also designed the obverse of the 1823 George IV gold double sovereign, which was the first two-pound coin issued for circulation. His designs are highly regarded for their artistic detail and hold an important place in the history of British numismatics.

Royal Appointment: He was appointed chief engraver to the Royal Mint in 1818, a position he held for many years.
Innovative Designs: Merlen was responsible for introducing several innovative designs to British coinage, including the famous "Gothic" design that graced the Sovereign from 1839 to 1887.
The Shield Designs : Inspiration from Ancient Coins: Merlen's shield designs were inspired by ancient Roman coins, particularly those depicting the Dioscuri, twin brothers of Greek mythology.
Symbolism: The shield designs were chosen to represent strength, courage, and protection, qualities associated with the British monarchy.
Enduring Legacy: Merlen's shield designs have become iconic and are still recognised today as a symbol of British coinage.

The First Ever Silver Sovereign

Collectors of UK silver bullion may have heard the exciting news from The Royal Mint: the 2025 silver proof sovereign will be the first-ever silver sovereign. It remains unclear whether this will be a one-off release or the start of a new silver sovereign series.

First for The Sovereign: The 2025 Silver Proof Sovereign is the first time The Royal Mint has struck a silver edition of this iconic coin.
A New and Exciting Opportunity: This new edition offers collectors a unique and valuable addition to their collections.
Proof Quality: Struck in 999 fine silver to Proof standard, the coin is finished to the highest quality.
Identical to the Gold Version: The Silver Proof Sovereign is an exact replica in diameter and weight of its gold counterpart.
Iconic St George and the Dragon Design: The reverse of the coin features Benedetto Pistrucci's classic St George and the dragon design, a hallmark of The Sovereign.
Official uncrowned Portrait of King Charles III: The obverse bears the official coinage crowned portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings.

Please see our specification table for the 2025 silver proof sovereign coin with the iconic St. George slaying the Dragon design.