It’s often a much-anticipated occasion when a new coin is released, especially for investors and coin collectors who desire to own every year of a coin that’s minted annually. But why? Aren’t they all variations of the same thing with a similar value? To a certain extent, yes they do hold the same or at least incredibly similar value from the point of view of the precious metal content; but when looked at through the lens of a true gold and silver coin investor or an avid collector, there’s a lot more to it than just the gold or silver content of the coin.
Let’s take a look at what goes into the making of a new coin and how history, design and reputation all play a part in the excitement of a newly released coin onto the market.
The 2019 Silver Britannia
Britannia, the female personification of the British Isles, has long been an iconic figure associated with coinage since she first appeared on the Roman bronze coin in the 1st century AD. Later, the image became a standard feature of British coins, and is said to embody the nation’s strength and durability. As the 2019 Silver Britannia coin shows, it is still used today as a prominent feature of all gold and silver Britannia coins.
We’ve seen various alterations over the years of the classic Britannia design, with some versions choosing to feature a trident rather than a spear to highlight Britain’s maritime trade and history. But they all depict in some form or other, a strong female figure – not too dissimilar to the numerous Queens that have reigned over the course of British history.
Even in the last 10 years, we’ve witnessed an intriguing evolution in the Britannia design, with annual editions reimagining this iconic visual representation of British history and power. And for this reason, investors and collectors of gold or silver Britannia coins such as the 2018 Silver Britannia, will want to add this latest edition to their collections and investment portfolios.
As well as being a monumental moment in history where the definition of being British is under examination, as we evaluate our ties to Europe, the most recent Britannia represents an important symbol of UK heritage through coinage.
If you’re interested in other Britannia coins, take a look at how this popular design has been adapted throughout time by various artists by taking a look at our full range.
View the full range of Britannias and keep an eye out for the 2019 Silver Britannia
The 2019 Sovereign
The Sovereign coin was first produced during the reign of King Henry VII and was designed as a testament of national strength and wealth. Adopting the title of the ‘sovereign’ in the king’s honour, it became a symbol of prestige that continues to this day to be associated with wealth and top-quality coinage.
Following a period when King Henry VIII’s visage was featured on its face, the coin was later revived after England’s defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Here entered the iconic symbol of St George and the Dragon, designed by engraver Benedetto Pistrucci – an image that is still in use today, signifying unwavering bravery and loyalty as suggested by the ancient tale.
This famous scene of good triumphing over evil, with its distinctive depiction in bold, direct movements as shown by the horse and rider, went on to become a recognised feature in more than 20 countries.
Pistrucci’s design is featured on almost every Sovereign bullion coin of the 20th Century, minus only a few occasions, and it is one of the world’s most iconic gold coin designs. It also enjoys an elevated reputation in the market, representing the highest standards of the coin maker’s art.
At one point, this coin even became known as ‘the chief coin in the world’. Some might say this is a good enough reason alone to invest in the new 2019 gold sovereign coin. But together with its fascinating provenance rooted in British history and western civilisation, the gold sovereign continues to be a very special piece in the bullion market.
Arguably no other gold bullion coin comes with the same certainties of value, weight and accuracy. If this has piqued your interest, take a look at this and other sovereigns such as the 2018 and 2013 gold sovereigns in our full range.
The Indian Mint Mark Sovereign
To distinguish between each of the various Royal Mint locations across the British Empire, gold Sovereigns had to be marked with a symbol to indicate the city or country of their origin.
In 1918, the Royal Mint established a branch in Bombay, within the Indian Government Mint. Only open for a year initially, it produced a considerable batch of coins, distinguished by the letter “I”, which you can see stamped above the date. Look closely and you’ll see!
Eventually, in 2013, the Royal Mint licenced MMTC-PAMP India to strike the commemorative Sovereign in India. And today, this coin now plays a big part in traditional Indian ceremonies and celebrations, especially at Indian wedding ceremonies and festivals where they are often highly-prized as a desired gift item.
The introduction of this coin also reduced imitation coins impacting the market, as the nation now had an original coin design. It also represents both purity and integrity, in addition to the inherent connotations of the British sovereign coin.
This historic coin is now one of the most popular additions to the bullion market with a rich history and a vast demand from Indian consumers, who see more than just the market value in these items – as many true gold investors will do too.
Whether you’re interested in purchasing the new 2018 Indian Mint Mark Sovereign or other sovereign coins released over the years, explore our full range online that also includes several coins of note from locations once belonging to the vast British Empire.
Why invest in coins of note?
Whether you are looking to invest, protect yourself against market crises or simply add to your amazing collection of historical coins now may be the perfect time to invest in one of these fantastic gold and silver coins.
In addition to being a reliable long-term investment, these gold bullion coins are globally recognised and in wide circulation, making them easy to trade, value and sell whenever you need.
Make sure you take a look at our entire range of coins, and keep an eye out for those mentioned here as well as other extraordinary additions to the gold and silver coin market over the past few years. They are truly a spectacle to behold!
