The East India Company Bullion Ltd, a subsidiary of The East India Company and in partnership with the Government of St. Helena has released their first-ever Sovereign denominated gold proof coins as part of the international celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of Queen Victoria. Her reign, one of the most profound eras of change and advancement, to which Victoria’s name is so closely associated with, was witness to Great Britain undergoing such rapid economic transformation from that of a thriving merchant trade class to the most industrialized nation on Earth.
Included in this exceptional five-coin Sovereign denominated gold series are some of the most renowned and admired designs that appeared on Victoria’s coinage and which have been specially recreated for this occasion. Of particular importance is the new five-pound gold piece that includes the famous “Una and the Lion” design.
The reverse side of the new double-sovereign includes a great favorite widely sought after, the Gothic Crown. First issued in 1847 to mark the 10th anniversary of Victoria’s accession, it included four crowned shields representing the primary realms of Great Britain with a defining Gothic style.
The Sovereign coin is outstanding as it includes the shield reverse seen on Victoria’s last silver half-crown coins from 1893.
The half Sovereign is especially relevant as it includes Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic interpretation of St. George slaying the dragon, first rendered on half sovereign coins during Queen Victoria’s reign.
For the quarter sovereign, a classic rendition of Britannia is included, first seen on Queen Victoria’s copper pennies, halfpennies and farthings from 1860.
The obverse of each denomination in the proof-quality collector coin set bears the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II created by engraver Jody Clark. The text around the Queen’ portrait is surrounded by her legend “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F. D. ST HELENA”.
The collector coins in the series, which are available separately, are housed in an East India Company branded case tailored accordingly to that specific option. A three-coin set limited to 500 sets worldwide is available, which includes the quarter the half-sovereign and Sovereign coins. A five-coin set comprising all denominations and limited to 200 sets is also available. Both options are accompanied by a colorful booklet detailing the story behind each design and presented in a custom polished black lacquer presentation case with a stand-up display.
Interested collectors may inquire at www.eicgold.com or [email protected] and +44 (0) 203 205 3380 to purchase directly.
