There is a lot of history in the Gold British Sovereigns. They are gold coins that can trace their history back to Henry VII in the late 1400’s. They were first issued in the 20 shilling denomination in 1489.
The coin was suspended for a while in 1603 when James I assumed the British Throne, and were struck again starting with King George III in 1817.
The British Master of the Mint in the 19th Century commissioned the Royal Engraver a man named Benedetto Pistrucci to create the image of St. George and the Dragon that are on the back side of this coin.
Later the coin began during the reign of Queen Victoria to circulate with the value of one British Pound until the British went off the gold standard. It is a coin that is valuable not only because of its gold content, but also because of its historical value and the sheer beauty of the coin itself.
The British Sovereign is considered one of the more attractive coins that have been in circulation. It is a coin with a rich and extended history, and it depends on the era of the coin as to both its value and its design.
British Sovereigns have more than their share of military history also. They were recognized worldwide as a accepted source of emergency money, recognized and accepted in many nations around the world.
During World War II allied pilots each would carry British Gold Sovereigns as their survival money because they were accepted in locations across Europe readily and in modern times American Pilots that fly different missions in Afghanistan and in Iraq also are said to carry these coins because of their ready acceptance.
The United States also has exempted British Sovereigns from confiscation because the United Kingdom is an ally and they are coins from a foreign nation, not just representations of gold bullion.