George and the Dragon Sovereign Design: Through the Years…

Posted on by Sofia Soares
The 2021 George and the Dragon 200th Anniversary Gold One-Eighth Sovereign Banner

Over the years, St George has continued to inspire people in many ways, striking a chord particularly with his namesake, King George IV. When George IV wanted to introduce a new coin, he decided on St George as the reverse subject.

The new gold sovereign was then created in 1817, designed by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. He took a different approach with his design, steering away from those that traditionally featured on coins. Pistrucci created a sense of movement, giving the saint the confidence and control while slaying the wounded dragon.

This coin design has become a classic, and is known across the world as a masterpiece of coin artistry; synonymous with the gold sovereign. In 1821, the classic design was altered and the Italian engraver produced his definitive St George and the dragon design, alongside a new portrait of King George IV.

And 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! A new gold sovereign range has been minted, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the definitive design.

The 2021 George and the Dragon 200th Anniversary Gold Sovereign range features an exciting interpretation by talented artist Jody Clark, creator of the current coinage portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This also 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!

You can view the entire George and the Dragon range here.

The Mayflower and Seven Facts You May Not Know

Posted on by Sofia Soares
The 2020 Mayflower 400th Anniversary gold Quarter Sovereign Banner
On 16th September 1620, a merchant ship called the Mayflower sailed from England to Plymouth, USA to the ‘New World’. On board the ship were 102 men, women and children; half of which were Pilgrims’ looking for a new life away from religious persecution. After a treacherous journey through storms and high waves, the mayflower finally reached its journeys end after 66 gruelling days.

We’re looking at the history of the vessel, as well as five facts you may not know…

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Una and the Lion – The World’s Most Beautiful Coin?

Posted on by Sofia Soares
  • The 2019 Queen Victoria 200th Anniversary Gold Sovereign
  • The 2019 Queen Victoria 200th Anniversary Gold Half Sovereign
Storytelling through coins, is one of the most significant ways historical events are recalled, for the simple reason that currency is a constant that has always been around in one form or another. It has adapted, changed and transformed, but it is always there telling a story of history…

There’s one coin in particular though that holds more meaning and beauty than any other, blending fact and fiction to produce what can only be described by many as the world’s most beautiful coin. Una and the Lion.

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Remembrance Day: Remembering the Unknown Warrior

Posted on by Sofia Soares
Remembrance Day Poppies

Lest we forget…

Remembrance Day is an annual day of reflection and remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, to ensure the freedom of future generations. In addition to the yearly Armistice tributes, 2020 marks a very significant and special anniversary – 100 years since the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior.

In 1920, following the First World War ending in 1918, the decision was made to honor all those who had lost their lives on the frontline and sacrificed everything during the war. These soldiers never returned home. An unidentified British soldier from the battlefields in France was randomly selected and buried with due ceremony in Westminster Abbey, to represent all those from across the Empire who fell in battle and had no proper burial.

The coffin plate of the Unknown Warrior bears the inscription: ‘A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 for King and Country’. The coffin was then covered with the very flag used by David Railton as an altar cloth during the war. This flag is commonly referred to as the ‘Ypres/Padre’s Flag’, and lay draped over the coffin all the way to the Westminster, where it remained for more than 30 years before being moved to St George’s Chapel.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of this solemn centenary and Remembrance Day, we are commemorating and honoring these unnamed soldiers with our new 2020 Unknown Warrior 100th Anniversary Gold Sovereign range. You can view the range HERE.

And now, on this Remembrance Day, we remember and reflect on all those who have fallen…

The 2020 Unknown Warrior 100th Anniversary Gold Sovereign Range

Posted on by Sofia Soares
unknown warrior
This year, we mark a very solemn centenary; on the 11th of November it will be the 100th anniversary of the laying to rest of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

The nature and scale of the First World War was unlike anything that had been seen before. Large numbers of soldiers fell in the service of their country and have no known grave. To honour these men, and to ensure their sacrifice would be forever remembered, an unidentified British soldier from the battlefields in France was buried in Westminster Abbey, to represent all those who fell in battle and had no proper burial.

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