The Perth Mint’s latest high-relief proof gold piedfort coin pays tribute to the Australian sovereign.
The commemorative issue honours British engraver Leonard Charles Wyon’s historic reverse design. With the name of the mint amended, the modern issue also includes a small “70” privy mark plus a platinum-plated St. Edward’s Crown marking the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.
The coin’s obverse depicts the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, a 2022 year-date and the denomination.
SOVEREIGN HISTORY
Australia’s gold rush of the 1850s unearthed vast quantities of precious metal.
To turn this enormous wealth into coinage, the first overseas branch of Britain’s Royal Mint was opened in Sydney, the New South Wales capital, in 1855. Enjoying a privilege historically reserved for the mother mint in London, it was empowered to turn gold into official coins called sovereigns.
In the early years of production, Sydney sovereigns were differentiated from London’s “imperial” versions by alternative obverse and reverse designs. Created by Wyon, of the famous dynasty of the 19th-century engravers, the Sydney “Type I” reverse featured elements representing radical departures from tradition.
For the first time, the denomination “ONE SOVEREIGN” was included on the reverse, which also comprised depictions of St. Edward’s Crown and a laurel wreath. The word “AUSTRALIA” was prominently positioned despite at the time being a geographical concept rather than today’s full-fledged nation. To underline the fact these coins were not struck in London, “SYDNEY MINT” was also incorporated into the design.
Sovereigns bearing this reverse were produced until 1870, after which time all Australian-made versions featured imperial designs with the addition of a small mintmark.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The Perth Mint’s new high-relief piedfort was struck in 91.67 per cent gold and issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.
The coin, which has a mintage of 300, was also struck with an extra-deep blank to showcase its detailed design in high relief. With an extra-thick planchet, it’s reminiscent of traditional piedforts, which take their name from the French words for “heavy weight.”
The coin is housed in a wooden presentation case within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
| Product | Price | GST Component |
|
Australia Sovereign |
$1,950 |
$177.27 |
- Indicative Total Price (including metal), based on the metal price of gold $2,652.76 (AUD) an ounce, to be used as a guide only.
- The pricing is based on a margin over the prevailing spot price of the metal at the time of order.
- Volume discounts apply to individual orders only. To receive the volume break, you must order the relevant number of units for delivery in one shipment.
- The Perth Mint reserves the right to amend the above prices in the event of a substantial movement in the metal price.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
|
Gold Content (Troy oz) |
0.471 |
|
Monetary Denomination (AUD) |
50 |
|
Fineness (%) |
91.67 |
|
Minimum Gross Weight (g) |
15.982 |
|
Maximum Diameter (mm) |
22.60 |
|
Maximum Thickness (mm) |
3.80 |
|
Mintage |
300 |