Hattons of London - Blog - Learn and discover about the world of coins

The Most Significant St George & the Dragon Gold Coins

Posted on September 5, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

It’s now well over two-hundred years since the first modern sovereign appeared, with St George slaying the dragon as its motif. In 1821, Benedetto Pistrucci’s classical depiction first appeared and it is remarkable that this design still appears on gold sovereigns produced today.

The tale of St George vanquishing his foe has an enduring relationship with gold sovereign coins and one that is anchored in over two centuries of tradition. Here, we will be exploring ten of the most significant St George and the Dragon gold coins as mentioned by coin specialist Peter Hutchison.

The Queen’s Automobile Mascots

Posted on September 1, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

A silver sculpture of St George slaying the Dragon is used as an automobile mascot for Queen Elizabeth II’s state limousines.

This sculpture was designed in 1952 by Edward Seago, the same year that Elizabeth became Queen.

St George and the Dragon Design Heritage Coinage

Posted on August 26, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

A depiction of St George vanquishing the dragon is one of, if not the, most renowned reverse designs on sovereign coins. This mythical tale of good triumphing over evil has such a long and illustrious association with the gold sovereign that the two are almost synonymous.

Engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, the George and the Dragon design first appeared on British sovereigns in 1817. For more than 200 years, this design has been used on the coins of every British monarch, except for William IV. Here, we will be exploring the coinage available at Hattons of London that feature this remarkable design…

The Legend of St George and the Dragon

Posted on August 22, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

Saint George is the patron saint of England. Widely celebrated across Europe, he is recognised as a religious martyr who vanquished the dragon in medieval times.

We all know the basis surrounding this legend. However, there are multiple different versions, as you would expect from a story as old as this one. In our latest blog, we explore the story of St George slaying the Dragon.

Britain’s 20th Century St George and the Dragon Crown Set

Posted on August 17, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

Featured as our Product of the Month for August, we have the incredible ‘Britain’s 20th Century St George and the Dragon Crown Set’. This set comprises of two British crown coins that feature the only two versions of St George slaying the dragon to appear on Britain’s circulating coinage in the 20th Century.

The 2022 St George and the Dragon Bi-Metallic Gold Sovereign Range

Posted on August 12, 2022November 29, 2023 by Vanessa Brockwell

Ask just about anyone in Britain, or indeed around the world, to describe a gold sovereign and chances are they will describe a gold coin with St George vanquishing the dragon. This mythical tale of good triumphing over evil has such a long and illustrious association with the gold sovereign that the two are almost synonymous.

Now, in 2022, the year of the Platinum Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II, a dynamic new rendition of St George slaying the dragon has been created, and to elevate this new edition beyond those that have gone before, it is being struck – for the first time ever – in two types of solid 22 carat gold! Introducing The 2022 St George and the Dragon Bi-Metallic Gold Sovereign Range, and in particular, the one-eighth sovereign…

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST FOR NEWS OF EXCLUSIVE OFFERS