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Double Sovereign Coin Mintages and Dates

Author: Connor Campbell - Bullion & Economics Editor

Published: 19 Jul 2022

Last Updated: 3 Jul 2023

Synopsis

This double sovereign blog covers the brief history of the double sovereign, mintages and dates. (1820-2022). Summarised in an accessible table that can be used as a reference whenever there are new double sovereign coin releases.

Double Sovereign Bullion Coins

The double sovereign coins were introduced in 1489 under the reign of King Henry VII (1485 - 1509). These coins were produced using the same dies as full sovereigns, but weighed more and contained more gold. In 1553 a double sovereign coin struck for Edward VI. As these coins are extremely rare, they will not appear in the double sovereign summary table below.

The new 2022 bullion double sovereign features a one-off Royal Coat of Arms Reverse design that celebrates Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. We don't expect mintage figures for this coin to be released for several years. 

Henry VII 1485-1509

Coins issued from 1485-1489 of King Henry VII's reign differ in name and mintmark from those of his predecessors. The first mintmark of Henry VII double sovereign coins was the fleur-de-lis, a lily that is used as a decorative design or symbol. It was used on the coins in 1487.  The fleur-de-lis is linked with numerous European nations, most noticeably France.

Difference Between Proof Coins and Bullion Coins

Proof coins are distinguished by their sharp details. The coins are struck at least six time using polished dies that make their features more defined. You will notice proof coins feature a matte design, with a mirror-like background.Bullion coins are produced much more quickly, with the coins being struck once. Read more about the difference between proof and bullion coins. 

What is the difference between a Full and Double Sovereign?

A sovereign weighs 7.98g and contains 0.2354 troy ounces of gold. It has a diameter of 22mm. A double sovereign weighs twice the weight of a sovereign ( (15.98g) and contains 0.4708 troy ounces of gold. It has a diameter of 28.4mm.

Comparison Between Double and Full Sovereigns Mintages

Our double sovereign summary table (1820-2023) contains 62 double sovereign's issues with a total mintage of 339,893. The number may in fact be much larger than this. Recent mintage figures have not yet been released by the Royal Mint, and some of the older coin mintages were not recorded. Comparing this to the full sovereign (introduced in 1817), there are over 1 billion+ sovereigns that have been minted compared to 333,893 double sovereigns which means double sovereigns are over 2900 times rarer.

Double Sovereign 1820-2023 Summary Table

Date Monarch Design Type/Variety Mintage Figure
1820 George III Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Uncirculated 60
1823 George IV  Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Uncirculated Not known
1823 George IV  Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof Not known
1824 George IV Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom Uncirculated Not known
1825 George IV Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom Uncirculated Not Known
1826 George IV Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom Proof Not Known
1831 William IV  Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom Proof 225
1838 Queen Victoria Uniface Pattern Uncirculated Not known
1841 Queen Victoria Uniface Pattern Uncirculated Not known
1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Uncirculated 91,345
1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Proof 797
1893 Queen Victoria Old or Veiled Head Uncirculated 52,212
1893 Queen Victoria Old or Veiled Head Proof 773
1902 Edward VII Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Uncirculated 46,000
1902 Edward VII Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Matt Proof 8,066
1911 George V Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Proof 2,812
1937 Edward VIII Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Pattern 6
1937 George VI Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Proof 5,501
1937 George VI Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Matt Proof Not known
1953 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Proof At least 6
1953 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Pattern Not known
1980 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon  Proof 10,000
1982 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,500
1983 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 12,500
1985 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 5,849
1987 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 14,301
1988 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 12,743
1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary of the Sovereign Proof 14,936
1990 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 4,374
1991 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 3,108
1992 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,608
1993 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,155
1996 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,610
1998 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,349
2000 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,250
2002 Elizabeth II The Shield of Arms Proof 6,947
2003 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,050
2004 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,740
2005 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,958
2006 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,290
2007 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,401
2008 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,333
2009 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,416
2010 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,019
2011 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 2,149
2012 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,036
2013 Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Stylised interpretation of St George and the Dragon Proof 1,895
2013 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Uncirculated 124
2014 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 681
2014 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Uncirculated 835
2015 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,100
2015 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,046
2016 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,093
2017 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 1,494
2018 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon with 65 mint mark that appears on the crown Proof, with 65 mint mark 1,600
2019 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 750
2020 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof, with George III mint 1900
2020 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Bullion TBC
2021 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Bullion TBC
2021 Elizabeth II Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Proof 950
2022 Elizabeth II Royal Coat of Arms Bullion TBC
2023 King Charles III Benedetto Pistrucci St George & the Dragon Bullion TBC

 

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