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.
For the first time in gold sovereign history, St George is replaced by the monarch on gold sovereign coins commemorating King Charles’ first 500 regnal days.
Introducing the 2024 King Charles and the Dragon Gold Sovereign Range…
Here’s a brief snapshot of their most important benefits:
- This is the first time that the design on commemorative gold sovereign coins has ever replaced St George with the monarch, alongside the dragon.
- The design is by accomplished artist Jody Clark, who also designed the portrait of King Charles III on the obverse. In this modern interpretation, rather than vanquish the dragon, the King appears to have tamed it.
- The historic legend that appears on the reverse, DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (‘May God direct my steps’), has previously been used for gold coins associated with milestones in other monarch’s reigns: most notably on British gold coins, of 1839 in the first two years of Queen Victoria’s reign, and of 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
- The year-date 2024, in which King Charles III reaches his 500-day regnal milestone, appears on the reverse side in Roman numerals ‘MMXXIV’.
Commemorative sovereigns that are the very first of their kind!
As you are aware. the tale of St George and the dragon has been depicted on gold sovereign coins for over two hundred years – but this is the first time a monarch has been depicted in place of St George!
Since the era of the modern sovereign began in 1817, a number of monarchs have had coins minted to commemorate a coronation or a jubilee, but King Charles III is the only monarch ever to appear alongside the infamous dragon on a gold sovereign coin.
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 – this is more in line with Charles’ modern form of kingship.
Today, we recognise our new King’s place in the long history of the British gold sovereign with an innovative take on a classic design – the first time that a monarch has ever been depicted this way!
These new gold sovereigns are 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.
You can purchase the one-eighth sovereign coin HERE, or alternatively, you can contact our sovereign experts on 0333 234 3103.
