Description
The 1911 1 Sovereign minted in Ottawa holds a prominent place in numismatic history, being the first gold sovereign struck outside of the United Kingdom. This coin marks the beginning of Canadian sovereigns, inaugurated under the reign of King George V. The Ottawa Mint, now known as the Royal Canadian Mint, initiated its sovereign production with this significant coin in response to the demands of the global economy and the rising prominence of Canada’s gold mining industry.
On the obverse of the 1911 1 Sovereign, you’ll find the right-facing effigy of King George V, meticulously crafted by Bertram Mackennal. The inscriptions “GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP:” surround the portrait, signifying the King’s full title as “George V, by the Grace of God, of all the Britains King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.”
The reverse of the coin features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic design of Saint George slaying the dragon, a symbol of bravery and victory that has adorned sovereigns since its introduction in 1817. The date “1911” is inscribed below the imagery, and a distinguishing “C” mintmark denotes its origin from the Canadian Mint, setting it apart from its British counterparts.
Struck in 22-carat gold with a weight of 7.99, it combines the rich heritage of British coinage with Canadian pride and craftsmanship. Owning this coin means acquiring a piece of history that reflects the collaborative spirit of the British Commonwealth and the burgeoning capabilities of Canadian minting expertise. This coin continues to be highly sought after by collectors and investors, admired for its historical significance and numismatic value. Due to being legal tender in the UK gold sovereigns are Capital Gains Tax free and all investment gold in the UK is VAT free.
This coin has been professionally graded by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) at grade MS62.
