The original gold sovereigns were minted in 1486 during the reign of Henry VIII. The British Sovereign gold bullion coin was reintroduced in 1816 at the height of the British Empire. The nickel-sized pieces name, sovereign, was inspired by the coins impressive size and regal portraiture, the earliest of which boasted the forward-facing king seated in his throne, while the royal coat of arms, resplendent with shield and Tudor double rose, adorned the reverse. The utmost care and detail were employed during the design and minting process by the British Royal Mint, to garner the reigning monarchs seal of approval. Recognized worldwide, the renowned coin features the bust of the currently reigning king or queen, which the reverse portrays Benedetto Pistruccis design of Saint George slaying the dragon. The British Sovereigns utility and immediate liquidity made it a must-have for military heroes such as WWII Allied forces pilots, who carried the coins in their survival kits, as well as American pilots in Desert Storm, who carried them as their emergency money in case they were downed in Iraqi territory. The privacy, portability, and instant liquidity worldwide of genuine gold sovereigns enhance the current value of this 22-karat legendary coin. Own a piece of history!