1989 Gold Sovereign Proof

The 1989 Gold Sovereign Proof

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the gold sovereign, a completely new design was created for the 1989 sovereign series. A design similar to that of the first gold sovereign issued in 1489 was chosen for the 1989 Gold Proof Sovereign.

For the obverse impression, a representation Of Ourself as at Our Coronation, seated in King Edward’s Chair, having received the Sceptre with the Cross and the Rod with the Dove, all within the circumscription ‘ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF’ can be seen.

The reverse depicts a Shield of Our Royal Arms ensigned by an open Royal Crown, the whole superimposed upon a double Rose (Known as the ‘Tudor Rose’), and with the circumscription ‘ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLD SOVEREIGN 1489 – 1989’.

The sovereign is made of 22 carat gold, and weighs 7.98 grams. It contains 0.2354 ounce of fine gold. The 1989 sovereign is also referred to as the ‘500th anniversary gold proof sovereign’ and the ‘Tudor Rose gold proof sovereign’.

The 1989 gold proof sovereign was originally housed in a Royal Mint acrylic screw top capsule, presented in its Royal Mint red leatherette case, accompanied with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

Including boxed sets, 23,471 coins were minted and from these 10,000 individually boxed proof sovereigns were issued by the Royal Mint in 1989.

Because of the unique design this sovereign is quite popular with collectors and this is often reflected in the price.

Image credit: M J Hughes Coins

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