This particular 1828 gold full sovereign features the bare head portrait of King George IV with the Crowned Shield reverse, both being designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
The 1828 gold sovereign is a very rare coin with fewer than 20 known examples still in existence. Its rarity is largely due to the small mintage number for this issue with only 386,182 coins minted that year.
It was the nineth sovereign to be issued during the reign of King George IV. This is because two sovereign designs were issued in 1825. The updated bare head design was issued in 1825 together with the older design. Then from 1826 until the end of George IV's reign the mint only issued the bare head portrait of George IV with the crowned sheild design on the reverse.
See the rest of the 1828 Sovereign Collection.
Hammered gold coins called 'sovereigns' had been minted on and off between 1489-1604, whereupon James I (VI) changed the name of the 20/- gold piece to a 'Unite'. The reform coinage sovereign of 1817 onwards was issued as a normal circulation type coin, and also as a proof.
The obverse depicts a bare head potrait of King George IV by William Wyon.
The inscription reads
GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA
It also includes small, oval flowers which separate the inscription from the date which is inscribed below the portrait.
The reverse shows Jean Baptiste Merlen's design of a crowned shield.
The inscription reads
BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:
Metal | Gold |
Diameter | 22.05mm |
Weight / Size | Full |
Gold Weight Troy Ounces | 0.235 |
Fineness / Carat | 0.917 / 22 |
Mintage Figure | 386,182 |
Date | 1828 |
Spink Reference | 3,801 |
Obverse Designer | William Wyon |
Reverse Designer | Jean Baptiste Merlen |
Issuing Monarch | George IV (1820-1830) |
Mint / Brand | The Royal Mint |
Country | United Kingdom |
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Bullion coins are provided as is and on occasion may have some minor scratches or edge knocks. These are not regarded as faulty or damaged goods as their precious metal content and value as a bullion coin is not affected. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.
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