Commemorative design

As the first overseas branch of Britain’s Royal Mint, the Sydney Mint was opened in 1855 to make sovereign coins from Australian gold. For the first 11 years they were distinguished from London versions by a specially prepared ‘colonial’ design. A testament to the skill of Australia’s early minters, these highly successful issues continue to attract significant interest among modern collectors.

2017 Sovereign gold proof coin

The coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination and the 2017 year-date.