While it is such a rewarding hobby, starting a coin collection can be daunting for some, with the majority of people asking ‘where do I start?’. If you are interested in historic or royal gold coins, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will be talking you through the best monarchs for you to look for when kickstarting your collection…
The Striking of Bi-Metallic Coins
Our latest release, the 2022 St George and the Dragon Bi-Metallic Gold Sovereign Range, are the world’s first gold sovereign coins to be struck using two types of solid 22 carat gold, also known as bi-metallic. We are already familiar with bi-metallic coins in circulation. However, this is the first time this technically demanding form of striking has been attempted with gold coins.
In our latest blog, we will be exploring the process of striking bi-metallic coins.
The Most Significant St George & the Dragon Gold Coins
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.
St George and the Dragon Design Heritage Coinage
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…
New Strike vs Heritage – What’s the difference?
The gold sovereign was first created under the authority of King Henry VII in 1489, when he demanded a ‘new money of gold’ to illustrate his powerful reign. The sovereign, made for kings and queens, has been prestigious throughout history for its reliability, strength and accuracy, and has represented the advancement of the art of minting.
Here at Hattons of London we have an incredible selection of both new strike and heritage sovereigns, but what is the difference between the two? In our latest blog we will be exploring the two categories and what opportunities each has to offer.
The Alternative A-Z of Coins – Part 5

In our latest blog series, we take you through the world of numismatics one letter at a time, bringing you the coin terms, history and facts which make coin collecting a fascinating pastime. In the last of our series, we look at the letters U to Z.