St Helena – East India Company: Pattern Design Features on Latest Sovereign Gold Coin Collection

The East India Company in association with the Treasury of St Helena launch a new five-coin gold proof sovereign collection.

by Michael Alexander | Published on January 10, 2025

The reverse features one of Britain’s most admired numismatic designs. The reputation of William Wyon (1795 – 1851) as one of history’s greatest coin engravers is forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria who was crowned Queen in 1838. One of his most iconic works is that of the ‘Young Head’ effigy of the youthful Queen which was so well liked by the monarch that it graced the coins of her reign for nearly 50 years, from 1838 to 1887. Some years later Wyon received a private commission to design a personal medal for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Wyon’s response was his own interpretation of St George & the Dragon, a design full of energy that captured the patron saint of England slaying the dragon beneath his rearing steed, believed to have been modelled upon Prince Albert’s favourite horse, ‘Imaun’. Prince Albert’s Personal Medal was issued to Henry Cole in recognition of his tireless contribution to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and, as Wyon sadly passed away that same year, his interpretation of St George & the Dragon makes a fitting final chapter in a story that began years earlier with his rivalry with Benedetto Pistrucci.It was his work of iconic design of St George slaying a dragon created in 1817 that was chosen for the new Sovereign in preference to Wyon’s proposal. This competition and professional rivalry between the two men that was finally eased in 1828 when they were both given senior positions at The Royal Mint which made the most of each man’s skills. Benedetto Pistrucci was made Chief Medallist while Wyon was appointed Chief Engraver.

The reverse side on all gold Sovereign coins includes a recreated depiction of William Wyon’s beautiful and artistic version of St George, spear in hand slaying the dragon. To the right is the name W.WYON and surrounding Wyon’s depiction is the emblematic circlet which is part of the design of the Order of the Garter with the motto HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, derived from the Anglo-Norman for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it’. The distinctive mintmark of the East India Company is located just below horse’s front left hoof.  The obverse of each sovereign includes the effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Glyn Davies. The legend encircling the King’s portrait reads CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX F · D · ST. HELENA with the year of release 2025, placed just below the effigy.

Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Maximum Mintage 
¼ Sovereign .916.7 Gold 2 g. 13.5 mm. Proof *250
½ Sovereign .916.7 Gold 3.99 g. 19.3 mm. Proof *250
 Sovereign .916.7 Gold 7.98 g.22 mm. Proof 500
Piedfort Sovereign.916.7 Gold15.98 g.22 mm.Proof100
Double Sovereign .916.7 Gold 15.98 g. 28 mm. Proof 50
£5 Gold Piece .916.7 Gold 39.94 g.36 mm. Proof 50

 Available from the 6th February, each encapsulated coin that is available as a separate purchase is presented in a bespoke display case alongside a numbered certificate which guarantees its specification and authenticity. The entire five-coin collection is available in limited quantities of 35 sets worldwide. *The three-coin collection comprising the one sovereign, ½ and ¼ sovereigns are available with a limited quantity of 250 sets. For additional information on this and other coins offered by the East India Company – St Helena, please visit their e-webshop.

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Author: Michael Alexander

Michael Alexander image Michael’s background in both numismatics and banknotes spans more than three decades and whose activities have varied from being a dedicated world coin collector to coin & medal design, marketing, theme concept and production. His additional interests include banknote research and in 1997, he founded the London Banknote and Monetary Research Centre to further these interests and activities. The company continues to offer monthly currency bulletins to both online and printed publications which includes information about the latest banknote news and releases from Central Banks and Monetary Authorities around the world. Michael has been a contributor to COIN NEWS magazine based in the UK since 1998 where many of his in-depth interviews, articles and bulletins have been published.

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