1912 Gold Sovereign – King George V British 22ct Gold Coin
Pickup available at 888 Bullion
Usually ready in 24 hours
Coin: British Gold Sovereign
Year: 1912
Monarch: King George V
Country: United Kingdom / British Sovereign issue
Metal: Gold
Purity: 22 carat
Fineness: 916.7
Total Weight: Approx. 7.98g
Fine Gold Content: Approx. 7.32g
Fine Gold Content: 0.2354 troy oz
Obverse: King George V portrait
Obverse Designer: Bertram Mackennal
Reverse: St George and the Dragon
Reverse Designer: Benedetto Pistrucci
Denomination: One Sovereign (£1)
Tax Status: CGT-free for UK individuals under current rules
VAT: Qualifying investment gold is VAT exempt
Condition: Pre-owned / circulated unless otherwise stated
The 1912 Gold Sovereign is a historic British gold coin struck during the reign of King George V, combining more than a century of British history with the intrinsic value of 22 carat gold.
Each full Gold Sovereign has a standard weight of approximately 7.98 grams and contains approximately 7.32 grams of pure gold, equivalent to 0.2354 troy ounces of fine gold.
The coin is struck in traditional 22ct (916.7 fineness) gold and features the famous St George and the Dragon design by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci on the reverse.
For investors, collectors and buyers of historic British gold, the 1912 King George V Sovereign offers an attractive combination of physical gold ownership, recognisable British coinage and over 100 years of history. Browse our full range of Gold Sovereigns available to buy.
The obverse features the left-facing portrait of King George V, designed by Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal.
Around the portrait appears the Latin inscription:
GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP:
This abbreviated Latin legend identifies George V as King of all the British territories, Defender of the Faith and Emperor of India.
King George V succeeded his father, Edward VII, in 1910, and Sovereigns bearing his portrait were subsequently issued during his reign.
A genuine 1912 George V Sovereign therefore represents both an investment in physical gold and a tangible piece of early 20th-century British history.
The reverse carries one of the most famous designs in British coinage: St George slaying the dragon, created by Benedetto Pistrucci.
St George is depicted on horseback with his sword drawn as he defeats the dragon beneath him. The year 1912 appears beneath the design alongside Pistrucci's initials.
Pistrucci's St George and the Dragon has become synonymous with the British Gold Sovereign and continues to appear on modern Sovereigns more than two centuries after the design was first introduced.
This continuity is one of the reasons historic Sovereigns remain instantly recognisable among the best gold coins for UK investors.
A standard full 1912 Gold Sovereign weighs approximately 7.98g.
Because Sovereigns are struck from 22 carat gold with a fineness of 916.7, the coin contains approximately:
7.32 grams of pure gold
or
0.2354 troy ounces of fine gold.
The remaining alloy increases the coin's durability compared with a coin made from virtually pure 24ct gold.
This combination of a defined gold content and globally recognised design has helped make the Sovereign one of Britain's best-known physical gold coins. If you're weighing up your options, read our guide on gold coins vs gold bars for UK investors.
The 1912 Sovereign appeals to several different types of buyer.
For a gold investor, it provides a relatively small and divisible way of owning physical gold.
For a coin collector, the date, monarch, mint and condition can give an individual Sovereign additional numismatic interest.
And for someone interested in British history, a genuine 1912 Sovereign provides the opportunity to own a gold coin produced during the reign of George V more than a century ago.
Historic Sovereigns can therefore occupy an interesting position between bullion investment and numismatic coin collecting. See our guide to the best gold coins for UK investors for a broader comparison.
One of the most important advantages of British Gold Sovereigns for UK investors is their tax treatment.
Because qualifying Sovereigns are UK legal-tender coins, gains made by individuals on their disposal are generally exempt from UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
This can make Gold Sovereigns particularly attractive to UK investors building larger physical-gold holdings. Read our full guide to CGT-free gold coins in the UK for more detail.
Tax rules can change and individual circumstances differ, so buyers should obtain professional tax advice where necessary.
Gold Sovereigns meeting the UK's definition of investment gold are generally exempt from VAT.
Combined with their CGT exemption for UK individuals, relatively small denomination and established secondary market, Sovereigns are a popular form of physical gold ownership in Britain.
A 1912 Sovereign is now more than a century old.
As a result, individual coins can show signs of their history, including surface marks, scratches, edge wear, toning and other evidence of circulation or previous handling.
This is normal for historic bullion coins.
The exact coin supplied should therefore be assessed according to its individual condition. Where the product photographs show the actual coin for sale, customers should use those images as part of their assessment before purchasing.
At 888 Bullion, we buy and sell British Gold Sovereigns alongside a wide selection of physical gold, silver, coins and bullion.
Based in Hatton Garden, London, our family has worked within the jewellery and precious-metals trade since 1982, giving us more than 40 years of industry experience.
Whether you're purchasing a historic Sovereign for its gold content, building a CGT-free gold portfolio, collecting King George V coins or simply want to own a genuine piece of British monetary history, the 1912 Gold Sovereign is an established and highly recognisable choice.
Browse our complete range of Gold Sovereigns or view all Gold Coins available from 888 Bullion.
Add the 1912 King George V Gold Sovereign to your basket today.
The 1912 Gold Sovereign is a British 22ct gold coin issued during the reign of King George V. It features George V on the obverse and Benedetto Pistrucci's famous St George and the Dragon design on the reverse.
A full Sovereign weighs approximately 7.98 grams and contains approximately 7.32 grams (0.2354 troy oz) of pure gold.
The 1912 Sovereign is 22 carat gold, equivalent to a fineness of approximately 916.7 parts gold per thousand.
A Sovereign dated 1912 is 114 years old in 2026, making it a genuine historic British gold coin from the early 20th century.
The obverse features King George V, who reigned from 1910 until 1936. His portrait on the Sovereign was designed by Bertram Mackennal.
The famous St George and the Dragon reverse was designed by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. His design became one of the defining images associated with the British Gold Sovereign.
The rarity and collectable value of a 1912 Sovereign can depend on factors including its mint, condition and variety. Some examples may trade primarily according to their bullion value, while particularly desirable examples can attract an additional numismatic premium.
For UK individuals, qualifying British Gold Sovereigns are generally exempt from Capital Gains Tax because they are UK legal tender. Read our CGT-free gold coins guide for more information. This is an important reason Sovereigns remain popular with British precious-metal investors.
Qualifying Gold Sovereigns fall within the UK's investment gold VAT exemption, meaning VAT is generally not charged on the investment gold itself.
Gold Sovereigns are widely used for physical gold ownership because they contain a known amount of gold, are relatively small and divisible, have an established secondary market and benefit from favourable UK tax treatment. See our beginner's guide to investing in gold for more context. However, gold prices can rise or fall and investment returns are never guaranteed.
Yes. Although the underlying gold content provides a bullion value, condition, mint, rarity and collector demand can affect the premium an individual historic Sovereign commands.
