History of the British Sovereign The British Sovereign gold coin has its history going back to the 13th century when Henry VII issued the nation’s first 20-shilling gold in the year 1489. However, its minting was suspended when James I started his rule in1603. But when George III came on the throne in 1817, the British gold reigned sovereign again. During the 19th century, Benedetto Pistrucci was commissioned to redesign the British Sovereign to today’s classic St. George image on its obverse with a dragon image on its reverse. Since then, the British Sovereign gold coins were minted … [Read more...]