1989 Gold Proof Half Sovereign (1/2) NGC Graded PF70 Ultra Cameo

Highly desirable, Royal Mint's 500th Anniversary of the Tudor Rose, Special one year design.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first hammered gold sovereign coin issued by King Henry VII in 1489, the designs chosen for both sides of the 1989 gold coins reflect the designs originally used five centuries earlier. Very few coins or currencies can boast such lengthy service.

Those first gold sovereigns were the first pound coin, as they were issued with a value of one pound sterling. They were called a sovereign as they featured the "sovereign" (monarch) on the obverse. The coins represented the majestic power, wealth and prestige of Britain and were intended to be used as a symbol of Britain's importance, to impress the rest of Europe.

The obverse is reminiscent of the King Henry VII engraving of the sovereign on his throne. It features a majestic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II seated facing on a throne. The reverse bears a crowned shield within a Tudor double rose. The similar original sovereign designs continued in use through to Queen Elizabeth I over a century after their introduction. Some gold coins of King James I also used a similar obverse up until 1619.

The coins were issued in Proof FDC grade only.

The obverse shows Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, seated enthroned in King Edward's Chair as at her coronation, facing forward, just having received the Sceptre with the Cross and the Rod with the Dove.

Around, in Medieval script, the monarch's legend ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF ·; translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith. The dividers between the letters are trefoils.

The entire design, including the style of the lettering, is inspired by the original 1489 sovereigns.

At centre, the reverse design of the coin displays the crowned Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom, over a double Tudor rose and surrounded by a beaded circle.

The standard variant of the Coat of Arms (as used outside of Scotland) has the shield quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is crowned with St Edward's Crown (the lion standing on it on the full version is not present on this coin).

Around, the inscription ANNIVERSARY · OF · THE · GOLD · SOVEREIGN · 1489 · 1989. As on the obverse, the design and the lettering are in a style similar to that on the very first gold sovereign issues. The dividers between the letters are trefoils.

1989 Gold Proof Half Sovereign.

NGC Graded PF70 Ultra Cameo.

3.99 grams x 22 carat Gold.

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