Created in 1816 for the introduction of the modern Sovereign, Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the dragon design has become intrinsically linked with the ‘chief coin of the world’. This is not just due to Pistrucci’s masterful artistry, but due to its repeated use on the reverse of the coin. Deviations from Pistrucci’s design tend to only happen to commemorate significant royal events, so it is perhaps not surprising that The Sovereign has featured several special, one-year-only designs during the extensive reign of Elizabeth II.
A Remarkable Monarch
Born on 21 April 1926, Elizabeth II was third in line to the British throne behind her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) and her father, the Duke of York (later George VI). However, her uncle’s abdication in 1936 changed the course of history and her father became king; on 6 February 1952, upon her father’s death, Elizabeth II acceded to the throne.
Prior to her accession, she committed herself to public service, declaring in a speech as Princess Elizabeth, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service’. It was a promise the monarch upheld throughout her record-breaking, 70-year reign, the longest in British history, which was also permeated by many royal milestones, including a Silver Jubilee (1977), Golden Jubilee (2002), Diamond Jubilee (2012), Sapphire Jubilee (2017) and Platinum Jubilee (2022).
A Jubilant Year
Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 marked the beginning of a summer of celebration for the United Kingdom, which also hosted the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. Taking place over a four-day weekend in June, highlights of the festivities included a maritime flotilla
of some 1,000 boats and vessels on the River Thames and a star-studded concert outside Buckingham Palace. Street parties were held throughout Britain and around the world.
Following the celebrations, Elizabeth II delivered a special broadcast of thanks:
“The events I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.”
The 2012 Jubilee Sovereign
To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, the 2012 Sovereign features a rare change of reverse design that was created especially for the occasion, depicting a modern interpretation of the classic St George and the dragon motif by sculptor Paul Day.
In the design, the saint is portrayed, to use the sculptor’s own words, as a ‘medieval knight of Arthurian legend rather than a classical hero’ and the dragon is given ‘a more threatening attitude and size, so that it represents a real menace and not a weak foe’. This limited-edition reverse design only features on 2012 Sovereigns, whilst the obverse depicts the fourth definitive coinage portrait of Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.