MS60 | George IV (1820-30), gold Sovereign, 1821, first laureate head left, B.P. for Benedetto Pistrucci below neck, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:, rev. St. George and dragon right, date in exergue, B.P. to upper right of exergue for designer and engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, raised WWP on ground line below lance for Master of the Mint William Wellesley Pole (Bentley 12; Marsh 5; S.3800). Scattered bagmarks in line with the certified grade, a scarcely handled piece graded by NGC as MS60.

NGC Certification 4861429-005

Calendar year mintage 9,405,114.

The 1821 Sovereign is the first to carry what has become one of the most long-lived depictions of St. George and the dragon on the gold Sovereign, and with little change still issued till the present day. The 1821 issue was an update on the previous depiction under George III 1817-20 and though it was only issued till 1825 at first the design made a welcome return from 1871 onwards in currency format.

(£1,200-£1,500)