The History of the Double Sovereign

The History of the Double Sovereign

The double sovereign is a premium denomination which originally made its debut in 1820. Many people have never even heard of a double sovereign, let alone been able to own such a fantastic coin.

Therefore, we will be delving a little deeper into the history of the this sovereign denomination, looking at the history and how it has become what we know today.

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The Rarity of Double Portraits on Coinage

The double portrait is a truly remarkable sight on coinage. It is a design that is rarely ever seen, making it all the more special when it does make an appearance.

This design is used to celebrate momentous royal occasions such as weddings and anniversaries, and is typically reserved for commemorative coins.

Double Portraits on Coinage

The use of a double portrait on coins acts as a symbol of love, unity, and the strength of a royal couple. One of the most iconic examples of this design is the double portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their Golden and Diamond Wedding Anniversary coins in 1997 and 2007. These coins are a testament to the remarkable milestones they reached together.

The year 2017 marked the platinum wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.  This is the first time in British history a monarch has celebrated this milestone. Therefore, a sovereign series was released exclusively to Hattons of London; The 2017 Double Portrait Wedding Anniversary Gold Sovereign Range. This is the first time double portraits have appeared on the gold sovereign, and the first time in the 200 years that a royal consort has had their portrait on a gold sovereign. Shop the range below.

Another notable example of a double portrait on coinage is that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton for their wedding in 2011. These commemorative coins captured the excitement and joy surrounding their union, showcasing their love and commitment to one another. The double portrait design serves as a reminder of the significance of their marriage, not just for them personally, but for the entire nation.

Last year, the double portrait featured on a spectacular series of gold sovereigns, capturing the essence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their coronation. This unique design is a true testament to their unity and the shared responsibilities they hold as the monarchs of Great Britain. It symbolised their commitment to each other and their dedication to their duties.

The 2023 King Charles III Coronation Double Portrait Gold Sovereign Range was released to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, where his wife and new Queen, Camilla, was by his side. Never before has a reigning king appeared with his queen.

History of the Double Portrait

To truly appreciate the rarity of the double portrait on coinage, we must delve even further back in time. It is during the reign of William and Mary in the late 1600s that we find some of the earliest examples of these double portrait coins. These coins were intended to commemorate their joint rule and showcase their unity as monarchs. The double portrait design was a way to honour their partnership and emphasise their shared power.

From Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Prince William and Catherine Middleton, double portrait coins capture the essence of their relationships and commemorate significant moments in their lives.

The History of Crowned Coinage Portraits

Crowned Coinage Portraits

It has been 11 months since Charles III became King of the United Kingdom, following the sad death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This is a huge change for the British public, and new coinage featuring King Charles III is now trickling through into circulation.

If you have noticed that The King’s circulating coinage doesn’t feature him wearing a crown and wondered the reason for this, especially when the late Queen Elizabeth II wore a crown on her circulating coinage portraits, then you have come to the right place! Here is everything you need to know about the history of crowned coinage portraits…

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A guide to the 1953 Coronation British coins

A guide to the 1953 Coronation British coins

Although Elizabeth II became Queen on 6th February 1952, following the sad passing of her father, King George VI, she was not formally invested until her coronation on the 2nd June 1953.

As a result, the Royal Mint had almost 18 months to prepare coinage for the new monarch, a process which involves utilising years of royal tradition. Here, we will be exploring the complete collection of 1953 Queen Elizabeth II coronation coins…

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Crown coins of monarchs who reigned before Charles III

British Silver Crown Coins Blog

This year sees the coronation of a new British monarch, the first for over seventy years, reminding us how special an event like this is. Certainly, there will be special coins issued to commemorate the event, but what may surprise you is that of the five monarchs to precede King Charles III, only three of them had crown coins issued for their coronation year, and of those only two were commemorative designs.

There are five particular coins that bring together those special coronation year issues, with two others to mark significant jubilees of the five crowned monarchs to precede King Charles III. Here is everything you need to know about them…

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