Royal Mint Release Honors the Passing of Queen Elizabeth II

The First Sovereigns to Feature the Effigy of King Charles III

One of the oldest and most recognized coins in the world, the Sovereign is considered the flagship coin of The Royal Mint. It’s the only gold coin struck on five different continents around the globe, and it dates to the Tudor era when Henry VII ordered the issue of a large gold coin of 20 shillings. The modern version, featuring Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci’s St. George and the Dragon reverse design, has been around for more than two centuries.

In the past 200+ years of issue, the reverse design has only been changed a few times, including this one. This 2022 special memorial release not only honors the late Queen Elizabeth II with a new reverse design by Jody Clark—former Royal Mint designer/engraver who designed Queen Elizabeth II’s fifth and final definitive portrait—it also features the first Sovereigns with a new portrait of King Charles III.

One of the Most Beloved Queens in History

Queen Elizabeth II was only 25 when she ascended to the throne on June 2nd, 1953. After being handed the four symbols of authority—the orb, the scepter, the rod of mercy, and the royal ring of sapphire and rubies—the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, placed St. Edward’s Crown on her head to complete the ceremony. An estimated three million people lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the new monarch as she made her way to and from Buckingham Palace. In a radio broadcast following the ceremony, the Queen said, “Throughout all my life and with all my heart, I shall strive to be worthy of your trust”.

In 2022, she became the first U.K. Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee (70 years on the throne), having already surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria’s 63-year reign to become the longest-serving British Monarch ever.

On September 8th, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, U.K., at the age of 96. The Crown then passed to her eldest child and heir, King Charles III.

New Jody Clark Reverse Design Honors The Queen’s Passing

Jody Clark offers a fitting tribute to the life and legacy of Great Britain’s longest reigning monarch with a reverse design that showcases his interpretation of the Royal Arms—featuring the English Lion on the left and the Scottish Unicorn on the right, topped by the Royal Crown. The shield features the various Royal emblems of the United Kingdom; the three Lions of England in the first and fourth quarters, the Lion of Scotland in the second quarter, and the Harp of Ireland in the third. A decorative garland consisting of roses, thistles, and shamrocks surrounds the design and includes the initials ‘JC’ for Jody Clark.

A New Era of Coinage—the First King Charles III Obverse

The obverse features the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, by artist and sculptor Martin Jennings which was personally approved by the King. Martin Jennings has designed many public sculptures in the U.K. and has sculpted great writers and poets including Charles Dickens. These are the FIRST Sovereigns issued by the Royal Mint to feature the King’s effigy.

Exquisite Proof Finish Offers a Higher Degree of Quality and Scarcity

Proofs like these are struck to a much higher standard of beauty, quality, and craftsmanship than circulated and uncirculated coins. Proof planchets (blanks) are specially treated, hand-polished, and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes, then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies, and struck at least twice, unlike regular coins which are struck only once. The extra strikes give proofs a glamorous shine and make intricate, razor-sharp details of the design pop against polished, mirror-like fields. While regular coins are struck on high-speed presses by the thousands, proofs are individually struck by highly skilled artisans focused on creating masterpieces. Collectors love proofs not only because they’re the best quality, but also because their mintages are typically low.

Struck in 91.67% Gold

This new release includes a Five Sovereign struck in 39.94 grams of 91.67% gold, a Piedfort Sovereign struck in 15.98 grams of 91.67% and a Sovereign struck in 7.98 grams of 91.67% gold. You can also choose a 5-Pc. Set which includes the above three coins, plus a Half Sovereign struck in 3.99 grams of 91.67% gold and a Quarter Sovereign struck in 1.99 grams of 91.67% gold.

Certified Flawless Proof-70, Ultra Cameo, and First Day of Issue by NGC

These Gold Memorial Sovereigns have been certified as perfect Proof-70 (PF70) by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), one of the top coin-grading services in the world. Not only that, each coin has also been certified Ultra Cameo (UC), a designation given to coins that possess an intense frosted finish on both sides of the coin, with highly polished fields accenting the raised elements.

The number of coins from a mintage that can be certified flawless and Ultra Cameo is tiny. There’s simply no better condition—and no grades are more coveted by collectors.

Finally, each Proof here has been certified as First Releases (FR). The FR designation means these coins were received for grading within 30 days of release from the mint. First Releases are sought-after because there are fewer of them compared to the overall population.

2022 Great Britain Gold Sovereign Memorial Proof 5-Pc. Set PF70 UC First Releases

5-Pc. Proof Set
– Five Sovereign
– Double Sovereign
– Sovereign
– Half Sovereign
– Quarter Sovereign
Struck in 91.67% 22-Karat Gold
Official Great Britain Legal Tender
One-Year-Only Design
Flawless PF70 UC Grade
First Releases Pedigree
Exclusive Tower Bridge Labels
5-Slab Branded Wooden Presentation Case
Limited Availability

2022 Great Britain Gold Five Sovereign Memorial Matte MS70 FR

Struck in 39.94 Grams of 91.67% 22-Karat Gold
Official Great Britain Legal Tender
One-Year-Only Design
Flawless PF70 UC Grade
NGC-Certified First Releases Pedigree
Exclusive “First Releases” Tower Bridge Label
Limited Availability

2022 Great Britain Gold Piedfort Sovereign Memorial Proof PF70 UC FR

Struck in 15.98 Grams of 91.67% 22-Karat Gold
Official Great Britain Legal Tender
One-Year-Only Design
Flawless PF70 UC Grade
NGC-Certified First Releases Pedigree
Exclusive “First Releases” Tower Bridge Label
Limited Availability

2022 Great Britain Gold Piedfort Sovereign Memorial Proof PF70 UC FR

Struck in 15.98 Grams of 91.67% 22-Karat Gold
Official Great Britain Legal Tender
One-Year-Only Design
Flawless PF70 UC Grade
NGC-Certified First Releases Pedigree
Exclusive “First Releases” Tower Bridge Label
Limited Availability

2022 Great Britain Gold Sovereign Memorial Proof PF70 UC FR

Struck in 7.98 Grams of 91.67% 22-Karat Gold
Official Great Britain Legal Tender
One-Year-Only Design
Flawless PF70 UC Grade
NGC-Certified First Releases Pedigree
Exclusive “First Releases” Tower Bridge Label
Limited Availability

These Won’t Last—Limited Mintages

Mintages of these coins are very limited, with just 1,230 of the 5-piece sets, 1,010 39.94-gram gold BU, just 2,032 15.98-gram gold proofs and just 23,160 7.98-gram gold proofs authorized. Fewer of each received a flawless PF70 grade, certified as FR.

Seriously—don’t wait on this. Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, demand has been high for coinage featuring the effigy of Her Majesty, and these coins go a step beyond with a brand new Jody Clark reverse plus the first definitive portrait of King Charles III. These coins, in perfect condition with sought-after designations, will not be available for long—especially considering the limited mintages. Hurry and secure yours by calling now!