Product Information

The 2008 Gold Bullion Sovereign depicts St George and the dragon on the reverse. The design stands proud of the polished table of the coin.

The coin is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated booklet which allows you to record the baby's name, weight, time and date of birth, as well as providing space to insert a photograph of the baby. A Certificate of Authenticity assuring the low issue limit of only 2,008 is also included.

Background & History

'Nothing, in my opinion, is more handsome than the St George and Dragon.'
George Goschen, April 1890

In his heartfelt tribute to Pistrucci's classically elegant design, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer echoed popular sentiment. Today, coin collectors around the world would surely agree.

The sovereign was first struck in 1489 on the direct orders of Tudor monarch Henry VII. Ever since, it has occupied a special place in the hearts of British subjects and numismatic experts alike.

Minting lapsed shortly after James I ascended to the throne of England in 1603. It was to be over 200 years before sovereigns were once again struck. This time in the reign of George III in 1817.

It was George Wellesley Pole, Master of the Mint, who commissioned his protégé, Benedetto Pistrucci, to create the striking image of St George and the dragon.

Pistrucci already enjoyed a considerable reputation as a gem engraver. Basing his design on the legends of classical antiquity, he created a lasting image of courage, virtue and determination.