Description
The King and the Dragon, a new design for a new era
Gold sovereign coins have been associated with the legend of St George and the dragon for more than 200 years, and this medieval tale of chivalry continues to capture the imagination today. Many iterations of this familiar motif have appeared over time, but none so innovative as a new design by celebrated coin artist Jody Clark, who has taken a bold new approach to mark a significant milestone in the reign of King Charles III.
This world-first coin has been struck to mark the milestone of His Majesty’s first 500 days of reign, recognising our new King’s place in the long history of the British gold sovereign with an innovative take on a classic design.
Fast securing his place in numismatic design history, Jody Clark has brought his artistic flair and precision to bear on a bold re-working of the St George and dragon motif, replacing England’s patron saint with our reigning monarch. By placing the dragon and the King side-by-side in profile and giving them equal prominence, he suggests that the mythical beast can be tamed rather than having to vanquish it – an idea more in line with Charles’ modern form of kingship.
Since the era of the modern sovereign began in 1817, a number of monarchs have had commemorative coins minted, but King Charles III is the only one ever to appear alongside the infamous dragon on a gold sovereign coin.
This £50 sovereign is an exciting tribute to the first 500 regnal days of King Charles III, which, along with their world-first design, feature the year-date 2024 in Roman numerals ‘MMXXIV’ to commemorate the 500-day milestone
Authorised by Tristan Da Cunha and approved by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Buckingham Palace, it is a wonderful tribute – the first time that the design on commemorative gold sovereign coins has ever replaced St George with the monarch, alongside the dragon.
