2009 Gold Sovereigns - First Photographs
As in previous years, we expected to have proof and uncirculated sovereigns available immediate delivery from about the 6th January 2009, at
advance order prices. Although we were ready to collect, the coins were not packaged as at Tuesday 6th January, but we now have the uncirculated "bullion" version in stock now. Our staff are packing thousands of them as we write this.
The 2009 sovereigns are expected to have the familiar St. George and Dragon design, or will they?
St. George and Dragon - Recut Reverse Dies
The traditional St George & Dragon design has been used on sovereigns, with a few breaks, since 1817.
During this long period, there have been a considerable number of minor changes to the dies used for the reverse (tail side). In 2007, the reverse design appears to have been completely re-engraved, although there was no advance announcement of this from the Royal Mint.
In late December, the Royal Mint informed us that newly recut dies would be used for the 2009 issue, prepared from "original Victorian tools", and that this should give a sharper definition to the design. One of our photographers has taken shots of the reverse, and is processing them with Photoshop as we write.
Altered Dies
The first thing we noticed about the 2007 sovereigns was that they were a real pig to photograph, and the 2008's were similar.
Our "Mint Spies" tell us that the 2009 sovereign is going to use an older version of the reverse die, which should give a sharper, more detailed impression of the design. Great!
We try wherever possible to use our own photographs, although sometimes we use images supplied by the various mints, at least on a pre-issue basis, replacing them with our own images as soon as possible after we receive our first deliveries.
Despite our considerable experience in photographing coins, the results can be quite variable. Some coins photograph beautifully, others are really difficult, and require time, patience, and experimentation before we can be happy with the results.
Our photographs show actual photographs of 2009, 2008, and 2007 sovereign reverses respectively. The colour differences are due mainly to lighting and technical photographic aspects. The new 2009 dies have a shorter tail than the two previous years, and the date numerals are smaller and neater than the last two years. They are shorter and slightly squat. The fact that we have been able, very easily, to get good images of this year's coin reflect the fact that the details of the design are sharper.
Well done Royal Mint!
Proof Version In Stock January 2009
Gold proof sovereigns are also expected to be in stock about 14th January 2009.
2009 Sovereign Prices
See our separate page for current pricing.
Issue Limits
For 2009, the issue limit remains at 75,000 for the uncirculated. The issue limit for the proof version will be 12,500, subject to confirmation.
We believe the 2009 issue will be very popular!
