Issued in the 100th anniversary year of Pistrucci’s St George & the Dragon design, Australia’s 1918 Sovereigns represent a major landmark in the long history of ‘the world’s most famous gold coin’.
Historic 1918 Sovereigns
Struck at the Perth Mint in the final year of the First World War, Australia’s “P” for Perth Mint Gold Sovereigns are struck from 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold and measuring 21.5mm in diameter. Available in Extremely Fine to about Uncirculated Condition.
The Perth Mint produced 3,812,884 of the George 1918 V sovereigns of which a large portion were melted down for their gold value, making high grade 1918P Sovereigns difficult for collectors to acquire.
As we mark the centenary of the Armistice, and the conclusion of “the war to end all wars”, we are offering the rare opportunity to secure these scarce 100-year-old gold coins – in premium grade.
Iconic St George and the Dragon Reverse Design
The sovereign features a large uncrowned bust of King George V facing left.
Presentation Packaging and Numbered Certificate
Each coin is housed in a lavish black timber case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity
In Australia, the three mints (Sydney mint , Melbourne mint and Perth mint) were established as a branch of the Royal Mint in London. Their primary objective was to strike Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns from the gold that had been discovered in the goldfields of Australia.
The Australian Minted Gold Sovereign Series 1855 – 1931 consists of 9 different types. The Sydney Mint Type 1 (1855 -1856), Sydney Mint Type 2 (1857 – 1870), Victorian Young Head Shield Reverse (1871 – 1887), Victorian Young Head St George Reverse (1871 – 1887), Victorian Jubilee Head (1887 – 1893), Victorian Veiled Head (1893 – 1901), King Edward VII, (1902 – 1910), King George V Large Head (1911 – 1928) and King George V Small Head (1929 – 1931).
The later King George V Sovereigns are either Very Scarce or Rare due to the mints cutting back on mintages. Dates: 1919M, 1920M & S, 1921S & M, 1922S & M, 1923S, 1924S & P, 1925P, 1926P, S & M, 1927P, 1928M & P, 1929M, 1930M & 1931M.
Sovereigns could be produced at one mint, two mints or at all mints, and when enough coins were thought to be in circulation no sovereigns were produced at all. Australian Sovereigns can be collected by Date, Type, and Mint mark or by a combination of these.