1209) The "World's First Silver Sovereign" brought out by the London Mint Office (LMO) UK: Year of issue: 2019:

1209) The "World's First Silver Sovereign" brought out by the London Mint Office (LMO) UK: Year of issue: 2019:

The Obverse and Reverse of the "World's First Silver Sovereign" placed side by side in this London Mint Office Banner/Header.

How is it different from the 20 Pounds Silver coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK in 2013:

- The Royal Mint, UK Silver coin was the first 20 Pounds denominated silver coin, which used Benedetto Pistrucci's Sovereign design, but it had different specifications, not conforming to the standard specifications of a Sovereign. As such, it is not classified as a Sovereign as defined under the British Coinage Act.

- To meet the specifications of a Sovereign, a Gold or Silver Coin should have a diameter of 22.05 mm and  Weight of 7.9881 grams which this Silver Sovereign   qualifies for.

The Silver Sovereign retailed by the London Mint Office:

The Cover of the elegant white custom-made box is titled "Silver Sovereign" & "Forever The First" and shows an image of the dragon.

The Reverse of the encapsulated Silver Sovereign shows an image of St. George slaying the Dragon. The Silver Sovereign is housed in an elegant white custom-made box.

The Reverse of the Silver Sovereign carries no inscription. The design too has undergone a change from the original Sovereign design. 

On this 200th Anniversary interpretation of Benedetto Pistrucci's well-known St. George and the Dragon Sovereign Motif designed by Angela Pistrucci, his great-great-great grand-niece, her design captures the essence of the original, while drawing on a more modern style.

In 1489, when the first Gold Sovereign was minted for Henry VII, the Sovereign was an embodiment of power, granduer and divine authority of the Tudor monarchy.

Since then, the Reverses of the Sovereign Coins have borne many designs - from the classic "Shield Sovereign", various incarnations of the "Saint George" to the early "broad" and "unite" - the Gold Sovereign has featured many depictions which have been re-imagined for anniversaries and landmark occasions.

 Angela Pistrucci's design on the first Silver Sovereign will, over time, become somewhat of a trail-blazer and other designers will draw inspiration from her elegant design.

The Obverse of the encapsulated Silver Sovereign shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right, designed by Raphael Maklouf, placed in the elegant white box in which the Sovereign is housed.

On the outer periphery of the Obverse of the Silver Sovereign is the Latin inscription (which is carried on Sovereigns ever since 1489) - "Elizabeth II. DEI. GRA. REGINA. GIBRALTAR. 2019" (meaning " Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen of Gibraltar". The year of issue is "2019").

The specifications of the Silver Sovereign are:

Denomination: Sovereign; Diameter/Size: 22.05 mm; Weight: 7.98 grams; Metal Composition: .999 Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage; 300,000 pieces; Year: 2019; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.

The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by Daniel Penney, The London Mint Office. 

The Cover:

Post Script:

The above Silver Sovereign has been sent to me by Ms. Sarah Golding, Senior Brand Manager, The London Mint Office. Thank you , Sarah.

Links:
  

1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

3) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first time by the Royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns