The world's most renowned gold coin, in proof finish, with low mintage and a decidedly Australian theme!

A Special Bonus Discount 3-Pack Proof Set of Gold Sovereigns may be available - click here to see if it is!

It is not overstepping the bounds of reason to describe the Gold Sovereign as the most famous gold coin in the world. Dating to 1489 and the reign of King Henry VII of England, the sovereign has played an indispensable role in commerce and banking through the centuries of the British Empire (upon which "the sun never set"). When Ian Fleming's hero, James Bond, needed to buy his way out of sticky situations, he carried 50 gold sovereigns hidden in a secret compartment in his attaché case. The Royal Mint in London (and its several branch mints scattered around the Empire, including the historic Perth Mint) helped to satisfy the enormous worldwide demand for this keystone of trade. Before wire transfers, electronic funds, and even large denomination paper money, gold sovereigns struck during the reigns of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V were the cornerstone of global finance and big business, universally accepted across the globe!

Now, for the first time in decades, an Australian version of the prestigious and historic Gold Sovereign is back in production at the Perth Mint! With a tiny mintage limit of only 2,500 and the uniquely Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms on the obverse, we expect strong demand for this best known of all gold coins. The Mint has judiciously decided to retain the traditional specifications of the Australian (and British) gold sovereigns. The coin still weighs 7.9881 grams and is struck in 22-karat gold, as one would expect. Thus, this Proof Gold Sovereign contains exactly 113 grains (7.322 g or .2354 troy ounces) of pure gold, as sovereigns have for the past two hundred years.

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The Coat of Arms of Australia
Formally known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the Coat of Arms of Australia is the official symbol of the country of Australia. The first official Commonwealth Coat of Arms was granted exactly 100 years ago, by a Royal Warrant of King Edward VII in 1908. The design comprises a white and blue shield displaying six small escutcheons and a cross of St. George featuring five six-pointed white stars. Above the shield (with its supporters of a red kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound) is the crest containing the seven-pointed gold "Star of Federation" (also known as the "Commonwealth Star") on a wreath of white and blue. Six of the Star's points represent the six original States of Australia, while the seventh point represents the Commonwealth Territories (and any future states). The motto "Advance Australia" is inscribed on a scroll at the base of the shield. This is the coat of arms that appears on the obverse of this coin.

Even thought the 1908 Coat of Arms appeared on certain Australian coins as late as 1966, it was officially replaced in 1912, when King George V made Australia's second grant of arms in a Royal Warrant. The new design incorporates a shield containing the badges of the six Australian States:

New South  Wales - The Cross of St. George with lion in the center and four stars in the arms
Queensland - A blue Maltese cross, with a crown as the center badge, on a white field
South Australia - The Australian piping shrike (a bird) on a yellow field
Tasmania - A red lion rampant on a white field
Victoria - The constellation of the Southern Cross, surmounted by a crown, on a blue field
Western Australia - A black swan on a yellow field

The border of the shield symbolizes Federation, which occurred in 1901. The crest, again featuring the gold, seven-pointed Star of Federation and now a wreath of gold and blue, appears above the shield, which is supported by the same representatives of Australia's native fauna, the red kangaroo and the emu.

Although not technically part of the official design as described in the Royal Warrant that grants the armorial bearings, there are two additional elements.  In the background is a wreath or spray of golden wattle, the official national floral emblem (though the depiction of the species is not botanically accurate). At the bottom of the coat of arms is a scroll that contains the name of the nation. Although not official, it is customary for these two elements to be portrayed, as they are here on the coin's reverse.

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Investment Notes
We like this coin as a long term buy-and-hold for several reasons:
   • It is the second of a new and ongoing series of Proof Gold Sovereigns to be struck by the Perth Mint.
   • The size is right, allowing for a significant amount of gold at a reasonable and affordable price.
   • The mintage is very low for a coin of this size - only 2,500!
   • It continues the Perth Mint's historic association with the Sovereign gold coin!
Imagine a collector trying to assemble a set of gold sovereigns a decade or two from now - they'll need this coin! But with only 2,500 having been minted (all those years ago), you'll be in the catbird seat, controlling a key date!

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Obverse
In the center, the current Coat of Arms of Australia. Above, the legend AUSTRALIA and below, the legend SOVEREIGN indicated the coin type. The Perth Mint's "P" mint mark is judiciously placed under the scroll of the coat of arms to the right, near the 3:00 position.

Reverse
A frosted cameo portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and the denomination also appear.

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Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside an solid wood, clamshell-style presentation case lined with black velvet, protected by a full-color outer box also lined with black velvet. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.