Description
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the definitive St George and the dragon design that has graced Britain’s gold sovereigns since the year 1821 in the reign of King George IV. This classical design by the talented Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci is known the world over as a masterpiece of coin artistry and has become synonymous with the gold sovereign itself. So much so that it is now the definitive design of the British gold sovereign series.
That’s why this anniversary is important. This 200 year legacy, is one of the British coin series most important and as part of this year’s anniversary commemorations, some exceptional gold coins have been minted: an entirely new series of St George and the dragon sovereigns featuring an exciting interpretation by talented artist Jody Clark, creator of the current coinage portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This means that for the first time in 200 years, both the monarch’s portrait and the design of St George are the work of the same designer!
The Queen’s portrait and the design of St George and the work of the same designer – for the first time in 200 years!
Benedetto Pistrucci’s classical rendition of St George slaying the dragon was first used on British gold sovereigns in 1817, after which it was revised and reworked until it became the masterful engraving that is so admired today. In 1821, the capricious Italian artist produced his definitive St George and the dragon design and, at the same time, a new portrait of King George IV.
Although St George and the dragon has graced gold sovereigns for 200 years, not since Pistrucci has the same designer created the artwork for both the monarch’s portrait and St George – until now!
In 2021, Jody Clark becomes the first artist in Her Majesty the Queen’s long reign to design both sides of a St George and the dragon gold sovereign coin, making this new series of sovereigns of great interest to collectors.
Each sovereign in this new set has subtle variations from the others – together, the coins chart the progress of combat between St George and the dragon, bringing a unique design touch in this 200th anniversary year. Authorised by Alderney, and approved by both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Buckingham Palace, it is a wonderful celebration.
Benefit from the SELL OUT GUARANTEE
The total number of The 2021 George and the Dragon Gold Sovereign Prestige Set minted will not exceed 1,399 sets, but this set is subject to our new SELL OUT GUARANTEE. What this means is that availability of this set will end on 30th April 2021. At that time, any sets that are unsold will be melted down and verified to that effect.
At that point, we will issue to owners of this set a new certificate stating the final mintage which may be lower, or possibly considerably lower, than 1,399. If the mintage remains at 1,399 then this means the set sold out entirely to keen customers, and if not you may have secured for yourself a low mintage rarity.
Either way, there will be little or no surplus of this set on the secondary market and so the set you own will be a rarity in the gold sovereign series.
Why not have a look at the 2021 George and the Dragon 200th Anniversary Sovereign range available here.
