1 Sovereign - George III

Features

Issuer United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
King George III (1760-1820)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1817-1820
Value 1 Sovereign
Currency Pound sterling (1158-1970)
Composition Gold (.9167)
Weight 7.99 g
Diameter 22.05 mm
Thickness 1.5 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
13171
References KM# 674,
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.
Sp# 3785
Emma Howard (editor); 2021. Standard Catalogue of British Coins : Coins of England & the United Kingdom Pre-Decimal Issues (56th edition). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
And 2 more volumes.

Obverse

Laureate portrait of King George III right, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
GEORGIUS III D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:
1820

Translation: George the Third by the Grace of God King of the Britains Defender of the Faith (Georgius III Dei Gratia Britanniarum Rex Fidei Defensor)

Engraver: Benedetto Pistrucci

Reverse

St George slaying the dragon right within Garter, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering: HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE

Translation: Shame on he who thinks evil of it

Engraver: Benedetto Pistrucci

Comments

As part of the Great Recoinage Act of 1817, the gold sovereign was introduced to replace the old guinea which had been in service since the reign of Charles II.

The gold standard for the sovereign was the same as for the guinea and the standard weight of a sovereign was 160/623 troy ounce (123.3 grains). The pure gold content was 113 1/623 grains (7.3224 g).

1819 dated sovereigns:

Only 3,574 sovereigns were minted in 1819, being struck on five separate occasions between August and November, and the coins were minted using gold provided by private merchants. Two hundred years after they were struck, possibly only ten of these sovereigns are known to exist.

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1817  Photo 3 235 000 $ 1100 $ 1500 $ 1900 $ 9000 44%
1817  0% Proof
1818  Photo 2 347 000 $ 7500 7%
1819  Photo 3 574 2% (fr) Très rare
1820  Photo 932 000 $ 1200 $ 1900 $ 2100 $ 7800 47%
1820  Photo 0% Proof

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 70 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 522.87 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of gold at 71 387 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2024 February 18 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61362
Lot 21177
Internet Archive
18 Feb 2024 1817 UNC
(NGC UNC Details (Obverse Spot Removed))
USD 2880.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Heritage Auctions
2023 August 17 - 19 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction 3109
Lot 32769
Internet Archive
17 Aug 2023 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS61)
USD 6240.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2023 January 17 - 18 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction 3106
Lot 33728
Internet Archive
17 Jan 2023 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 9000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2022 November 2 - 4 World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction 3102
Lot 31106
Internet Archive
2 Nov 2022 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 9000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2022 January 18 - 19 NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098
Lot 33835
Internet Archive
18 Jan 2022 1817 UNC
(NGC MS61)
USD 4800.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2021 October 28 - 29 World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction 3093
Lot 33216
Internet Archive
28 Oct 2021 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 9600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2021 August 19 - 20 ANA WFOM World & Ancient Coins Platinum Night Signature Auction 3094
Lot 33216
Internet Archive
19 Aug 2021 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 9600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2021 May 6 - 7 World and Ancient Coins Platinum Night Auction - Dallas 3091
Lot 31110
Internet Archive
6 May 2021 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 9900.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2021 January 21 - 22 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas 3089
Lot 32751
Internet Archive
21 Jan 2021 1817 UNC
(PCGS MS63)
USD 10 200.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George IIIPicture 1 of a sold 1 Sovereign - George III
Heritage Auctions
2021 January 21 - 22 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas 3089
Lot 31203
Internet Archive
21 Jan 2021 1817 UNC
(NGC MS64)
USD 15 600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
See more past sales

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