Sovereigns
Sovereigns of Britain; Kings of Wessex (West Saxons) name dynasty or house reign; 1 Athelstan was king of Wessex and the first king of all England.: 2 James VI of Scotland became also James I of England in 1603. Upon accession to the English throne, he styled himself 'King. A monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler. A person who has supreme power or authority.
Money Metals Exchange is pleased to offer British Sovereigns gold bullion coins- one of the least expensive ways to buy fractional sized quality gold bullion coins. Gold British Sovereigns are one of the most recognized gold bullion coins around the world. The first of these sovereign gold coins were minted in 1817 and they remain in production.
Royal Mint launches commemorative 2021 Sovereign coins and sets to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 95th birthday next year.
The Royal Mint's 2021 Sovereign, marking the Her Majesty the Queen's 95th birthday, combines centuries old craftsmanship with understated new details to produce an attractive and prestigious coin. Minted in limited numbers, examples in the 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign issue make a fantastic investment or Christmas gift idea for the collector in your life.
Keeping reading for all you need to know about the historic design of the eye-catching 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign family, as well as the other striking standards available and the projected value of these highly collectable coins.
'Chief Coin of the World'
Described by the Royal Mint as their 'Flagship Coin' and by others as the 'Chief Coin of the World', the Gold Sovereign is instantly recognisable to any collector. Sovereigns were first minted in England in 1489 during the reign of the first Tudor King, Henry VII. They were resurrected in the nineteenth-century, following the Coinage Act of 1816 which officially put Great Britain on the gold standard. Once, Sovereigns were a symbol of Empire, circulating across the globe. This proud heritage lingers about the commemorative Sovereigns issued annually by the Royal Mint for a host of eager buyers.
The beautiful and varied designs appeal to some while the 22 Carat purity is the primary value to others. Modern Sovereigns are made to the same specifications as they were in 1817: 22.05 mm diameter, 22 parts gold to two parts copper. The copper alloy strengthens the Sovereign and lends it a distinct pinkish tone. With the reintroduction of additional gold coins, based on the Sovereign, like the Quarter-Sovereign and the Double-Sovereign, this storied coin now has even broader appeal. Increasingly limited mintages, particularly of Gold Proof Sovereigns, ensure rarity and value.
Royal Prestige
The 2021 Sovereign is a celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's 95th birthday. The Queen will celebrate her real birthday (21 April) and her official birthday (13 June) in 2021 and mark 69 years since the beginning of her reign. Over nearly seven decades, five different effigies have appeared on Elizabeth II's coinage. The 2021 Sovereign features the fifth and latest, introduced in 2015.
The fifth effigy is the work of Jody Clark who joined the Royal Mint in 2012. His design, created digitally from photographs, became the first royal coinage portrait to be created by a Royal Mint engraver in more than 100 years. According to Clark, his aim was to produce an accurate but warm portrayal of Britain's longest reigning monarch.
Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II is the fifth official effigy to feature on her coinage.
For the Her Majesty's 95th birthday, the 2021 Sovereign has been given some subtle new details. The milled or reeded edge has precisely 95 ridges in an discreet nod to the occasion. In addition, coins in the 2021 Sovereign family all carry a unique privy mark in the form of a crown made up of the numerals '95'. The 2021 Sovereign is a refined design to mark an important royal milestone.
George and the Dragon
The digitally rendered reverse of the 2021 Sovereign is complemented by a more than two-hundred-year-old obverse, remastered for the twenty-first-century. Anyone with a passing interest in Sovereigns will, no doubt, recognise Benedetto Pistrucci's seminal George and the Dragon, a design that has survived on coins since it was engraved for the new Sovereigns of 1817.
Called the 'handsomest coin in Europe' when it was first introduced, the motif is dynamic, featuring a wounded beast, trampled by a magnificent steed ridden by a war-like but scantily dressed St George. The image of St George, patron saint of England, triumphing over the dragon, was an inspired choice, particularly as Pistrucci employed it in the wake of British victory at Waterloo.
The design was adapted for Silver Crowns issued in 1818, replacing St George's pike with a sword, and it is this variation that has established a perennial presence on British coinage. It appeared on Sovereigns issued by Queen Victoria and, on its 200th anniversary, appeared on the 2017 Sovereign. For recent issues, including the 2021 Sovereign, Pistrucci's centuries old dies have been digitally remastered using high-tech imagining and design equipment. This ensures that the fine detail of the great engraver's masterful work is reproduced in all its glory.
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The 2021 Sovereign Family
The 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign family is made up of five coins, ranging from a Quarter-Sovereign to a Five-Sovereign Piece. As with all Sovereigns minted since 1817, the 2021 issue is composed of 22 carat (91.7%) gold. In accordance with tradition, none of the 2021 Sovereigns display their value on the coins surface: their denomination is established by their weight and size which is in proportion to face value.
The 2021 Gold Proof Quarter-Sovereign
Sovereign Movement
- Diameter: 13.5 mm
- Maximum Coin Mintage: 1,760
- Nominal Face Value: £0.25
- Weight: 1.997 g
- Actual Gold Weight: 0.0588 oz t
The Quarter-Sovereign was introduced by the Royal Mint in 2009, though patterns for such coins were struck in the nineteenth-century. The Royal Mint's Quarter-Sovereigns have never been circulated – they were designed for collectors – but recent issues, including the 2021 Gold Proof Quarter-Sovereign, are legal tender as Britain's smallest modern gold coin.
The 2021 Gold Proof Half-Sovereign
- Diameter: 19.3 mm
- Maximum Coin Mintage: 3,260
- Limited Edition Presentation: 1,500
- Nominal Value: £0.50
- Weight: 3.99 g
- Actual Gold Weight: 0.1177 oz t
The Half-Sovereign was first issued in 1544 by Henry VIII. It was reintroduced in 1817. From this point, Half-Sovereigns have had a consistent diameter (19.3 mm), thickness (0.99 mm) and weight (3.99 g, 0.1177 oz t of gold). The 2021 Gold Proof Half-Sovereign is no different in this regard and also bears the same reverse design as the 1817 issue: Pistrucci's George and the Dragon.
The 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Maximum Coin Mintage: 9,850
- Limited Edition Presentation: 7,995
- Nominal Value: £1.00
- Weight: 7.981 g
- Actual Gold Weight: 0.2354 oz t
The beauty, significance and collectability of the Sovereign does not need restating. The Royal Mint's 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign features in all of the Gold Proof Sovereign presentation sets released this year. Just under 10,000 of the 2021 Sovereign will be issued ensuring that, while many collectors will be able to own this sought-after piece, it will sell out very quickly and increase in value fast.
The 2021 Gold Proof Double-Sovereign
- Diameter: 28.4 mm
- Maximum Coin Mintage: 1,000
- Nominal Value: £2.00
- Weight: 15.98 g
- Actual Gold Weight: 0.4708 oz t
Rare proof Double-Sovereigns were minted alongside the Tudor sovereign and the reintroduced Sovereign of 1817. A precursor and relation of the modern Two Pound Coin, the Double-Sovereign holds twice the nominal value of the Sovereign and is also double the weight. As with its older predecessors, the restricted mintage of the Gold Proof Double-Sovereign imparts significant value.
The 2021 Gold Proof Five-Sovereign Piece
- Diameter: 36.02 mm
- Maximum Coin Mintage: 550
- Nominal Value: £5.00
- Weight: 39.94 g
- Actual Gold Weight: 1.1771 oz t
The largest and scarcest coin in the 2021 Sovereign family is the Five-Sovereign Piece, otherwise listed as the 'Quintuple Sovereign'. Pattern £5 pieces were struck in the early nineteenth-century, including the famous Una and the Lion, but this weighty coin (39.94 g, 1.1771 oz t) first circulated in 1887. The 2021 Five-Sovereign is only available as a proof coin in the Five-Coin Gold Proof Set.
Striking Standards
Individual coins in the 2021 Sovereign family are available in three different striking standards:
- Proof: Struck up to six times and hand-finished, these coins are the highest quality available, prized by those with an eye for detail and incredible craftsmanship.
- Brilliant Uncirculated (BU): Polished by hand but struck fewer times than Proof pieces, BU coins achieve a subtler finish than circulating or Bullion coins for an entry-level price.
- Bullion: Coins for the investor. Tradable, tax exempt and highly liquid, bullion standard coins combine iconic, collectible designs with a means to diversify your portfolio.
Whether you prefer the fine detail of the Proof 2021 Sovereign, the accessibility of the BU piece or are choosing to invest in the Bullion option, coins from this commemorative issue are an excellent choice. The standard will, of course, impact the price and resale value of your Royal Mint 2021 Sovereign. As they have the highest quality finish and are issued in the smallest numbers, the 2021 Gold Proof Sovereigns will be the most sought after.
2021 Sovereign Sets
Gold Proof 2021 Sovereigns can be purchased individually with the exception of the Five-Sovereign Piece which is only available in a special Five-Coin Gold Proof Set. In all, three different 2021 Gold Proof Sovereign sets are available from the Royal Mint:
- The Five-Coin Gold Proof Set: Features all five coins in the 2021 Sovereign Family in the high-quality finish guaranteed by the Proof standard. If you want to see the 2021 Sovereign design in all its glory and values then the Five Coin Proof Set is the obvious choice. Available in a Limited Edition Presentation of just 500 sets.
- The Four-Coin Gold Proof Set: Contains all proof issues in the 2021 Sovereign family with the exception of the Five-Sovereign Piece.
- The Three-Coin Gold Proof Set: Includes the Sovereign, the Half-Sovereign and the Quarter-Sovereign. A Limited Edition Presentation of only 750.
The Five, Four and Three-Coin Proof Sets all come in an attractive presentation box along with a commemorative booklet, exploring the history and significance of the Sovereign.
Collecting and Investing
Sovereigns have long been a shrewd choice for new and seasoned buyers. Part of the appeal is the relative affordability of Gold Sovereigns thanks to their lower gold content, compared to other gold coins like larger and more expensive Britannia. That said, In January 2020, an extremely rare Edward VIII Sovereign became the first British coin to be bought for more than £1 million. Unusual design features, quirks of history and pristine condition can lead to impressive valuations.
Commemorative Sovereigns, issued by the Royal Mint more recently, are also now realising significant sale prices. Examples of the sought after 1989 Gold Proof Sovereign, struck to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VII's first sovereign, are currently selling for above £3,000. A more recent release, the 2017 Gold Proof Five-Coin Sovereign Set, commemorating 200 years of the modern Sovereign, can now command prices of above £6,000, more than doubling its initial sale price in just three years.
In 2020 the edition limit for that year's Sovereign was severely cut and similarly small Maximum Coin Mintages are in place for 2021. The 2020 Sovereign sold out on the Royal Mint's website very quickly and its likely that the 2021 Sovereign family will sell fast too. Our advice is to decide now which of the different denominations, striking standards and sets appeal and then make your move as soon as possible.
Sovereign is a title which can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old Frenchsouverain, which is ultimately derived from the Latin word superānus, meaning 'above'.
The roles of a sovereign vary from monarch or head of state to head of municipal government or head of a chivalric order. As a result, the word sovereign has more recently also come to mean independence or autonomy.[1]
Head of State[edit]
The word Sovereign is frequently used synonymously with Monarch. There are numerous titles in a monarchical rule which can belong to the sovereign. The sovereign is the autonomous head of the state. Examples of the various titles in modern sovereign leaders are:
| Emperor | Naruhito, Emperor of Japan | Sultan | Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei |
| King | Philippe of Belgium | Pope | Pope Francis, sovereign of the Vatican City State |
| Grand Duke | Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg | ||
| Prince | Albert II, Prince of Monaco | Co-Prince | Joan Enric Vives Sicília, Co-Prince of Andorra |
How To Claim Sovereign Citizenship
Chivalric Orders[edit]
The term Sovereign is generally used in place of 'Grand Master' for the supreme head of various orders European nations. In the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Grand Master is styled 'Sovereign', e.g. Sovereign Grand Master, due to its status as an internationally independent sovereign entity. Examples of the Sovereign of a chivalric order are:
- Philip the Good, founder of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Karl von Habsburg, current Sovereign of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, current Sovereign of the Order of Louise
- Caroline of Baden, Sovereign of the Order of Saint Elizabeth
- Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza, Sovereign of the Order of Saint Isabel
Municipal Government[edit]
As chief officer of municipal government, the Sovereign had duties and responsibilities deriving from the charter which established the local town borough or council. This was commonly used throughout Ireland. This usage was less common in the United Kingdom and occasionally meant a Marcher Lord.
Characteristics[edit]
The candidate for this position was elected by the freemen and burgesses of the town, borough and city councils and had to be a Burgess himself. And in later years he also had to be approved by the patron.[2][3] The level of responsibility ranged from enacting by-laws about tolls up to the death penalty. Some charters established the sovereign as the local magistrate or Justice of the peace. The office generally had no salary though some patrons provided a stipend to the Sovereign in their borough.[3] In some localities the sovereign was appointed directly by the patron of the borough which allowed him to influence the election of the local MP. Once the parliamentary franchise was lost with the Acts of Union 1800, the role became largely ceremonial or forgotten.[4][5]
The title of the chief officer of a city council has become known as a Mayor. In some municipal boroughs the titles Borough Master or Burgomaster, Bailiff, Portreeve, Warden and Provost were used interchangeably with mayor and sovereign.[5]
History[edit]
Ireland had established self-governing municipal boroughs which gave a city-state status to the locality in existence since the Norman conquest. These were most typically in the denser populated provinces of Munster and Leinster. The provision of the borough and the corporation was established through a charter, the granting of which was known as incorporation. Freemen and burgesses were the usual governing members of the council and elected their chief officer, the Sovereign. In earlier incarnations the council also managed the law court known as the 'hundred court' and dealt with local administrative and legal business. Boroughs also elected the local MP. Positions on the council were predominantly from among the wealthy and related families in the area.[6]
The first mention of the Sovereign in Kilkenny dates from 1231. The Liber Primus Kilkenniensis is a contemporaneously written account of the proceedings of Kilkenny municipality beginning in 1230 and running to 1538.[7] Attempts have been made to identify the names of Kilkenny's sovereigns and currently there is a list of the names of 244 sovereigns from 1282 to 1608. At that point a new charter was established for the town and in 1609 the first Mayor of the City of Kilkenny is elected.[8]
Weakening power[edit]
Early Irish borough had a city-state status however with the unification of Ireland under the crown in 1603 they were transformed into more ordinary municipal towns on the English model. Part of this was to reduce the autonomy of the Irish borough and partly to establish the new rules by which the planted towns of Ireland were to operate. Since the MPs to the Irish parliament were elected by the borough council, and to prevent a Catholic majority there, additional boroughs were created in areas with a strong Protestant base. A direct result of this was the Protestant majority of 232 to 100 in the 1613 House of Commons. The new charters placed the government of the borough with the Sovereign and twelve chief burgesses, who are to elect all the rest and stipulated that all had to conform to the established church by taking the Oath of Supremacy.[9][10][11]
Sir John Davies, Attorney General for Ireland wrote 'the newly erected boroughs . . . will be perpetual seminaries of Protestant burgesses'.[9]
Historically the number of boroughs varied considerably. There were 117 boroughs in Ireland from 1685 to 1800. Prior to the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, there were sixty-eight borough corporations in Ireland.[9] As each of the changes and new charters were brought in and with the loss of the parliamentary franchise, sovereigns became less powerful and more ceremonial.
Legacy[edit]
There is a sailing race held in Kinsale which references back to the chief officer of the town council. When looking to name a new trophy the local yacht club discovered that the ‘Sovereign of Kinsale’ used to put up a trophy for a sailing race in the late 1700s.[12] The result is that the race and trophy today is known as The Sovereign's cup.[13] Kinsale had been given its charter to set up a borough led by a Sovereign around 1319.[10]
Sovereigns Pay
See also[edit]
| Look up sovereign in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
References[edit]
- ^'Definition of sovereign in English:'.
- ^Extracts from the Old Corporation Books of New Ross. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 31 March 1901. JSTOR25507115.
- ^ abFIRST REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS IN IRELAND. 1835. pp. 917–.
- ^The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland: Adapted to the New Poor-law, Franchise, Municipal and Ecclesiastical Arrangements, and Compiled with a Special Reference to the Lines of Railroad and Canal Communication, as Existing in 1814-45. A. Fullarton and Company. 1846. pp. 299–.
- ^ abGreat Britain (1840). The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Her Majesty's Printers. pp. 650–.
- ^'Irish Municipal boroughs'.
- ^McNeill, Charles (1927). 'Notes on the Liber Primus Kilkenniensis'. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 17 (1): 21–38. JSTOR25513427.
- ^'The sovereigns and Mayors of Kilkenny'.<
- ^ abc'New Boroughs'.
- ^ abSamuel Lewis (1995). A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: Comprising the Several Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Corporate, Market, and Post Towns, Parishes, and Villages, with Historical and Statistical Descriptions ... Genealogical Publishing Com. pp. 461–. ISBN978-0-8063-1063-3.
- ^Henry Alworth Merewether; Archibald John Stephens (1835). The history of the Boroughs and municipal Corporations of the United Kingdom. Stevens, Yard. pp. 1620–.
- ^'Sovereign's cup 2017'. Irish Examiner Supplement. 10 June 2017.
- ^https://www.sovereignscup.com/sovereigns-cup-kinsale/Event-Info