2008 Gold Proof Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Coin
One of just 7,735 proof Sovereigns issued by The Royal Mint in 2007. This coin features Ian Rank-Broadley’s mature portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to the obverse. This is the fourth such definitive portrait used on her coinage since her first coins were issued in 1953. The reverse shows an instantly recognisable image of Saint George and the dragon. This engraving is the work of Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci who created the striking work for the first modern Sovereigns. These were introduced in 1817 after a major overhaul of British coinage following the Napoleonic Wars. Pistrucci’s rendition of England’s patron saint has been a perennial presence on these gold coins ever since. They have been minted by every monarch since George III. This example conforms to the strict specifications established in the nineteenth century: it’s composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres. The difference is the proof finish. Intended for collectors, proof coins are struck multiple times with hand prepared dies, producing a richly detailed coin with a high-shine appearance. Their beauty appeals but so does the limited numbers these coins are struck in. Just 7,735 gold proof Sovereigns were issued in 2008. This one comes in its original presentation packing from The Royal Mint with a numbered certificate of authenticity enclosed. System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String] System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String]