First struck in 1489 and named for the monarch, The Sovereign has always had a close connection with royalty, a relationship that has endured for more than 500 years. Over the last two centuries, the coin has carried the portrait of every British king and queen, telling the story of the monarchy in gold. The 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign continues this long tradition with a special edition that honours a modern royal milestone.

Struck in 22 carat gold and finished to the finest Proof standard, the 2018 Sovereign was issued to mark the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation. The obverse features Jody Clark’s definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, introduced in 2015, showing Her Majesty wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem with intricate detail captured. The Latin legend around the portrait confirms the coin’s status as an official United Kingdom issue.

On the reverse, Benedetto Pistrucci’s legendary design of St George slaying the dragon appears in all its dramatic detail, with frosted relief set against mirror‑like fields. To celebrate this special year, a distinctive regal ‘65’ mint mark, created by Royal Mint coin designers Natasha Preece and Joseph Melia, appears alongside the design. This discreet yet significant detail ties the 2018 Sovereign directly to the sapphire coronation anniversary, adding an extra layer of meaning for collectors.

Each coin is struck using specially prepared dies and carefully polished blanks to achieve its sharp detail and brilliant Proof finish. The 2018 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign offers a fitting tribute to The Queen’s remarkable reign and to The Sovereign itself – the enduring coin of the monarch.