2025 Sovereign Coin Range

Royal Mint Official Partner

Chards is an official partner of The Royal Mint, and our products are directly sourced from their mint headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales.

Why Should You Invest in Sovereigns?

If you're seeking a gold investment that has been trusted by investors worldwide for centuries, and one that offers UK investors the opportunity to maximise returns with exemptions from VAT and Capital Gains Tax, the sovereign is an outstanding choice.

Sovereigns are an ideal entry point into precious metals due to their lower gold content compared to other popular world bullion coins, making them more affordable. This lower gold content results in lower prices than other investor favourites such as the 1 oz Gold Britannia and the 1 oz Krugerrand.

Additionally, the smaller size of sovereigns enhances their liquidity, allowing for easier resale compared to larger bullion coins. While smaller coins can sometimes carry slightly higher premiums than larger ones, you can mitigate this by taking advantage of our quantity breaks or opting for options like our best value sovereigns (pre-owned) or minty condition sovereigns (close to mint condition).

Shop Bullion Sovereigns

Are you interested in browsing our complete range of bullion sovereign coins, featuring either the classic reverse design of St. George and the dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci, or special one-off designs to commemorate occasions such as British monarch jubilees.

Since 1489, many British monarchs have had sovereign coins issued under their reign, featuring their likeness on the obverse side of the British sovereign coin.

Sell Your Sovereign Coins to Chards

Are you ready to sell your gold sovereign coins to Chards? We guarantee competitive rates to all sellers, whether you choose to visit us in our showroom, use our postal service, or opt for our distance buy-in service.

History of the Gold Sovereigns

The English sovereign was first issued as a gold hammered coin in 1489 for the King Henry VII. Designed by German engraver, Alexander of Bruchsal, the obverse featured the King in his coronation robes seated upon his throne, symbolising the power, success and splendour of the fledgling Tudor dynasty. 

Although the first British gold sovereign was issued in 1489 for Henry VII, the modern gold sovereign was first struck in 1817 under George III. Issued with a nominal value of one pound, it was a circulation coin in Britain until the middle of World War I and abroad until 1932. The sovereign was reintroduced in 1957 as an investment coin to meet demand for gold bullion.

Today, the vast majority of British gold sovereigns showcase Benedetto Pistrucci's St George and the dragon design on the reverse, paired with various monarchs over time.

The 2025 Proof Sovereign Collection

The 2025 proof sovereign range features a remastered version of Merlen's Royal Arms Shield design. The coins are the final sovereigns to be struck in 'red gold'. The 2025 range also marks the introduction of the first ever silver proof sovereign.

Legacy of Jean Baptiste Merlen

Jean Baptiste Merlen was a renowned French engraver, initially employed by the Paris Mint before eventually joining The Royal Mint in 1820. He is celebrated for his contributions to numismatics and coin design.

William Wyon became Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint in 1828, during Jean Baptiste Merlen's time as assistant engraver. Merlen is best known for his obverse portrait of George IV, introduced in 1821, which was the first to depict a male monarch without a crown or laureate. He is also remembered for his Royal Arms Shield design, which first appeared on the George IV sovereigns.

What Is a Proof Coin?

A proof coin is a type of coin that is produced using a specific minting process that results in a highly polished surface and intricate design details. Proof coins are typically produced in limited quantities and may feature unique packaging, certificates of authenticity, or other distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from standard coins.

Due to their limited production and exceptional finish, proof coins generally command higher prices than regular coins of the same denomination and are highly prized by both collectors and investors.

What Are BU Coins?

Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) coins are newly minted coins that have never been in circulation. They are considered to be in better condition than typical 'normal' bullion coins but not as great as proof condition coins.

BU coins are created for collectors seeking hand-finished dies to ensure sharper, more pristine images of the coin designs. Collectors can expect to pay higher premiums for these coins from dealers due to their higher condition compared to bullion coins, but the premiums will be lower than those of proof condition coins.

Live Metal Prices

Track the intrinsic price of a sovereign using our live gold price chart.