World’s first gold platinum sovereigns sell out as royal fans rush to own piece of Jubilee history

The world’s first gold sovereign coins to be minted using a gold and platinum alloy – created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – have sold out in record time.

Created by leading coin experts Hattons of London to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible 70 year reign, the coins feature celebratory portraits of the Queen at landmark moments throughout her seven-decade reign.

And after selling out despite being launched less than three weeks ago, the collection has gone down as the fastest-ever selling product in Hattons of London’s history.

Minted with an exclusive blend of 22 carat gold enriched with 2 carats of platinum, the sovereigns were a world first.

Hattons of London MD, Simon Mellinger, said: “The Platinum Jubilee is a momentous occasion and by using an exclusive blend of 22 carat gold enriched with 2 carats of platinum, we have created a fitting tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service to our country, that like Her Majesty, will stand the test of time.

“The demand for the product we’ve had has been phenomenal, and has far outstripped supply.

“We expected a lot of interest in the coins, but the speed at which the collection has sold out has been unbelievable. It seems that collectors have recognised the significance of this year’s Platinum Jubilee and have been keen to add a special piece of memorabilia to their collections.

“What’s been particularly interesting is that demand hasn’t just been from coin collectors – there’s been a much wider appeal from the general public, who also want them as a commemoration of this important, and maybe never-to-be repeated, Royal anniversary.”

The coins feature portraits of Her Majesty which had never before featured on sovereign coins, including images of the Queen’s 1952 Coronation, her Silver and Diamond Jubilees, as well as a portrait of Her Majesty around the time of her becoming our longest reigning monarch in 2015.

The design on the smallest denomination in the range, the one-eighth sovereign, features the royal cypher of Elizabeth II with a celebratory garland of roses, thistles, leeks and shamrocks to represent the nations of the United Kingdom. This garlanded-cypher also features on each of the other coins in the series.

Mr Mellinger said there were plans for an additional Platinum Jubilee collection later this year. 

“We normally only bring out one limited collection to celebrate a milestone event or anniversary, but given the interest and the significance of the occasion, we’re currently considering adding to our Platinum Jubilee range with a new collection this year,” he added.

Hattons of London is a leading expert in rare and exclusive coins with a vast collection which includes the Queen Victoria 200th anniversary range, featuring the first 24 carat gold twenty pound sovereign.

Collectors urged not to miss golden opportunity to own piece of Platinum Jubilee history

gold platinum coins nearly sell out in first week

The world’s first gold sovereign coins to be minted using a gold and platinum alloy have been created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her incredible 70 year reign with portraits of her from across seven decades.

In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch ever to reach a Platinum Jubilee. To celebrate this unprecedented achievement, leading coin expert Hattons of London has created a stunning series of platinum gold sovereign coins featuring celebratory portraits of the Queen at landmark moments throughout her reign.

The coins will feature portraits of Her Majesty which have never before featured on sovereign coins, including images of the Queen’s 1952 Coronation, her Silver and Diamond Jubilees, as well as a portrait of Her Majesty around the time of her becoming our longest reigning monarch in 2015.

The design on the smallest denomination in the range, the one-eighth sovereign, features the royal cypher of Elizabeth II with a celebratory garland of roses, thistles, leeks and shamrocks to represent the nations of the United Kingdom. This garlanded-cypher features on each of the other coins in the series.

Hattons of London is a leading expert in rare and exclusive coins with a vast collection which includes the Queen Victoria 200th anniversary range, featuring the first 24 carat gold twenty pound sovereign.

Hot on the heels of the company’s We Will Remember Them range, which featured the world’s first gold one-eighth sovereign to commemorate all who fought in the Second World War, the Platinum Jubilee Monarch range will also be a world first. 

Managing Director Simon Mellinger explained: “We are extremely excited about this latest collection as they will be the world’s first sovereign coins ever to be minted with ‘platinum-gold’. 

“The Platinum Jubilee is a momentous occasion and by using an exclusive blend of 22 carat gold enriched with 2 carats of platinum, we have created a fitting tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service to our country, that like Her Majesty, will stand the test of time.”

While pre-orders have seen avid collectors clamouring to get their hands on the range, Mr Mellinger said there are opportunities for everyone. 

“Given the unique nature of the Platinum Jubilee, we’re expecting to see very high demand for the collection. This isn’t just for coin collectors – there’s a much wider appeal for the general public who will want them as a commemoration of this important, and maybe never-to-be repeated, anniversary,” he added. 

Coins are available now, starting from just £69.

The coins you want to find in your loose change this D-Day

50th ANNIVERSARY: Decimal currency was introduced in the UK on 15th February 1971

The Royal Mint has posted the mintage figures for the calendar year of 2019, providing the only official guide to the rarest coins in circulation. 

In 2019 over 500 million coins were released into circulation, including three new 50 pence designs celebrating Arthur Conon Doyle’s iconic Sherlock Holmes, and Paddington the Bear at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.

The figures were revealed ahead of the 50th anniversary of Decimalisation, which takes place today (15th February 2021) and saw the introduction of many of the coins used today. 

The changeover inspired thousands of people to become coin collectors, and over the decades the 50 pence grew to become Britain’s most collectable coin.

The shape of the 50 pence made it the ideal canvas for special commemorative designs, and over 70 events, anniversaries and individuals have been celebrated on circulating 50 pence pieces.

The famous 2009 Kew Gardens 50p (top) remains the most coveted coin in circulation, with a mintage of just 210,000. Other rare designs include the 2011 Olympic 50p’s and the highly collectable Peter Rabbit 2018 coins.

The Royal Mint’s Director of UK Currency, Mark Loveridge, said: “The 50p was introduced as part of decimalisation and has grown to become Britain’s favourite coin. The innovate shape of the coin makes it perfect for commemorative designs, and over the years we’ve commemorated many iconic occasions, events and individuals on a 50p.

“Coin collecting remains as popular as ever, and we were delighted to release a number of special designs into circulation in 2019. The Kew Gardens remains the most coveted coin, with a mintage of just 210,000 but it’s always exciting to find a special design in your change. As we approach the 50th anniversary of decimalisation, we are proud that this iconic work of art remains in the nation’s pocket.”

In addition to making coins for the UK, The Royal Mint is also the world’s largest export mint and produced around three billion coins and blanks for 30 countries in 2019-20.

Rarest 50p designs released into circulation in 2019

2019 COINSTOTAL MINTAGE FIGURES
50P SHERLOCK8,602,000
50P PADDINGTON AT THE TOWER9,001,000
50P PADDINGTON AT ST PAUL’S9,001,000

Rarest 50p designs in circulation:

MINTAGE YEAR50 PENCE COINSTOTAL MINTAGE FIGURES
2009KEW GARDEN 210,000
2011OLYMPIC FOOTBALL1,125,500
2011OLYMPIC WRESTLING1,129,500
2011OLYMPIC JUDO1,161,500
2011OLYMPIC TRIATHLON1,163,500
2018PETER RABBIT1,400,000
2018FLOPSY BUNNY1,400,000
2011OLYMPIC TENNIS1,454,000
2011OLYMPIC GOALBALL1,615,500
2011OLYMPIC SHOOTING1,656,500

The full mintage figures can be found on The Royal Mint’s website: https://www.royalmint.com/currency/uk-currency/mintages/