The Royal Mint is returning its flagship gold Sovereign to traditional yellow gold as it launches the 2026 Sovereign collection against the backdrop of a powerful 2025 gold rally.
Unveiled on Nov. 12, the new range includes both commemorative and bullion versions and marks the first time in decades the modern Sovereign has been struck in classic yellow gold. The 2026 issue also commemorates two milestones: 500 years since St. George first appeared on English coinage and five centuries of 22-carat gold in British coins.
Responding to strong investor demand, the Royal Mint has added three visual security features to the 2026 bullion Sovereign – micro-text, a complex background pattern and a latent image designed for instant authentication. The Mint says these additions bring the Sovereign in line with its Britannia series as one of the most visually secure bullion coins on the market.
A Royal Mint employee displays a Sovereign during the minting process (Photo courtesy of the Royal Mint).
The move comes as the Mint reports robust sales in 2025. Gold coin revenue rose 102 per cent year-over-year in the second quarter, from July to September, reflecting what officials describe as sustained demand for trusted, physical assets in diversified portfolios.
The Sovereign will continue to be struck in 22-carat gold with its weight guaranteed to five decimal places, maintaining its long-standing reputation as a tightly specified trade coin. Royal Mint precious metals director Andrew Dickey said the 2026 bullion Sovereign is aimed at investors seeking a globally recognised coin with modern security and traditional appeal, calling the yellow-gold edition especially attractive in the current market environment.
On the numismatic side, the 2026 Sovereign keeps Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St. George and the dragon motif, one of the world’s most familiar coin designs. Rebecca Morgan, the Mint’s director of commemorative coin, said the return to yellow gold reflects strong collector preference for the traditional look and ties directly into the twin anniversaries being marked in 2026.
The Sovereign’s long secondary-market record remains a key part of its story for collectors and investors alike. The Royal Mint points to high-end results such as the 1937 Edward VIII Sovereign, which realized £1 million in 2020 and, at the time, set a record for a United Kingdom coin.
The 2026 Sovereign collection – including both commemorative and bullion pieces – is available directly from the Royal Mint through its website, with international buyers, including Canadians, able to order online at royalmint.com/sovereign.