Gold British Sovereign (pre-1933)

The British Gold Sovereign has been minted in various forms since 1489. Pre-1933 examples contain 0.2354 troy ounces of gold in a 22-karat alloy (91.67% gold, balance copper). The most common reverse is Benedetto Pistrucci's 1817 St. George and the Dragon design, one of the most replicated images in coinage. The obverse varies by era and typically depicts the reigning monarch. Sovereigns circulated heavily throughout the British Empire as everyday currency, so condition varies. They trade close to their gold melt value, with small premiums depending on date, mint mark, and condition.