Sell-Out Predicted
2002 sees the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, fifty years of her reign. Although there will be a few who do not like the new design, preferring the usual St George & Dragon design, we believe that the demand for 2002 sovereigns will be higher than normal, yet the Royal Mint's issue limits remain the same as for 2001. In 2000, we correctly predicted that the proofs would sell out quickly, they sold out within two weeks, exceeding even our expectations. This year we expect both the proofs and uncirculated versions to sell out. The proofs have indeed now sold out at the Royal Mint, although we still have some in stock. Because of this, it would be wise to order as early as possible.

Proofs Now in Stock
For year 2002, the proofs were scheduled for January instead of April. Expected official release date was Monday 14th January, and we now have them in stock, after a slight production delay. As we mention above, they are now sold out at the Royal Mint, but we still have stock.

Uncirculated Version Due February 2002
The Uncirculated or bullion issue has been re-scheduled from January to mid February, and we now have stocks.

Shield Reverse
The shield reverse was last used for Queen Victoria from 1838 to 1887 inclusive. This was Victoria's golden jubilee year, and the design of the sovereigns was changed in that year. In fact for the date 1887, three different sovereign designs were issued. It is perhaps fitting, then, that the Royal Mint appear to have chosen not only to change the gold sovereign design for our own queen's golden jubilee, but also to revert back to the shield design.

The 2002 United Kingdom issue of Proof Sovereign marks the Queens Golden Jubilee with a change of design. The reverse design features the Shield design - the Royal Arms within a wreath of laurel - in a modern form drawn by Timothy Noad, a herald painter at the College of Arms.

Advance Orders
As in other recent years, we placed large advance orders for both proof and uncirculated sovereigns. We still have stocks for immediate delivery.

Issue Limits
For 2002, the issue limit has been retained at a maximum of 100,000, only the same as for 2001, with the extra demand which we think will be created by the Golden Jubilee celebration, and the new design, we expect an early sell-out. The issue limit for the proofs has also been maintained at 12,500 individual coins, excluding those issued as part of the 3 and 4 coin gold proof sets.

2002 Prices

Uncirculated Version

Quantity	Price £	Price $	Price €
1	£145	$Ask	€Ask
10	£144	$Ask	€Ask
20 (Sheet)	£Ask	$Ask	€Ask
50	£Ask	$Ask	€Ask
100	£Ask	$Ask	€Ask
500	£Ask	$Ask	€Ask
1,000	£Ask	$Ask	€Ask

We also have leatherette cases available for the Uncirculated version, priced £2 each if ordered with coins.

Prices
The Royal Mint pricing for the 2002 proof sovereigns was £129.95, we have now stopped accepting orders at our discounted pre release prices, and they are now selling at premium prices.
We can currently supply at :-

Quantity	Price £	Price $	Price €
1	£150	$225	€250

Prediction
We correctly predicted that the Royal Mint would sell out of the 2000 proof version before July. We were correct, as they sold out before the 6th of June, having only gone on sale in May!
The 1999 proof sovereigns sold out by about September. We have been paying up to £200 for the 1999, as we have had a waiting list for them. We have heard of prices of up to £295 each.
We believe the 2002 issue will be extremely popular! The proofs have already sold out at the Royal Mint.

Postage & Packing

Per Delivery - Any Quantity
At Buyer's Risk £2.50, or...
Fully Insured £6
Airmail to USA $10
Insured to USA $20

Deliveries
We despatch most of our orders within 24 hours, although we do reserve the right to clear cheques before despatch. If your order is urgent for a gift, please tell us on the order form and we will do our best to help.

Notes

The fine gold content of a sovereign is 0.2354 troy ounces.