The 2026 Gold Sovereign: Yellow Gold Returns with New Security Features

What we know about the 2026 sovereign

The 2026 Gold Sovereign coin is already attracting strong interest from collectors and bullion buyers for good reason. The Sovereign is Britain’s most iconic gold coin, combining history, intrinsic value, and artistry. But the upcoming 2026 release is even more interesting as it will include two key developments: a change of alloy and the introduction of modern security features for the very first time in the series’ history.

According to a Royal Proclamation published in May 2025, the new gold Sovereign will include a latent image and microtext to make it harder to counterfeit the coins. Another significant decision is that The Royal Mint have made the decision to move away from the rose gold colour that has defined Sovereigns since 2000, and return to the classic yellow gold hue that was used for the coins for centuries.

What is changing in the alloy for the 2026 Sovereign?

The 2026 Sovereign will see a return to the classic yellow gold colour that defined the Sovereign coin for centuries, before the switch to a rose gold hue from the year 2000 onwards. These colour variations are determined by the type and amount of metal that is alloyed with the pure gold within the coin. All sovereigns are struck in 22ct gold, meaning they contain 91.67% pure gold, with the remaining 8.33% made up of other metals such as silver and copper to make the coin more durable.

Sovereigns minted from 2000 onwards incorporated a larger amount of copper in the alloy, resulting in a reddish or pinkish-toned appearance. Before this, gold sovereigns were manufactured using a greater proportion of silver within the alloy, giving them a brighter, more golden appearance. The 2026 Sovereign is expected to follow this composition style, restoring the rich yellow gold appearance that collectors associate with traditional Sovereigns.

What security features will the 2026 Sovereign include?

The 2026 Gold Sovereigns will include two new anti-counterfeiting features for the first time in the coin’s history. On the obverse of the coin, the 2026 Sovereign will bear the effigy of King Charles III, accompanied by a new latent image – an optical security feature that changes in appearance depending on the angle it is viewed. The reverse of the coin will feature the iconic depiction of St George and the Dragon, together with new microtext reading ‘HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE’, the historic motto of the Order of the Garter, which translates to ‘Evil unto him that thinks evil of it’. This motto previously graced the first modern Sovereign in 1817 and now will be an intricate detail that adds both security and symbolic depth to the 2026 coin.

Will the 2026 Sovereign feature the St George reverse?

According to the Royal Proclamation, the 2026 Sovereigns will retain Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic depiction of St George and the Dragon. This historic reverse design has appeared on Sovereigns for centuries and remains one of the most recognisable coin designs in the world.

The design shows St George on horseback, striking down the dragon with a sword. As confirmed in the official proclamation, the 2026 year date will appear below the design, continuing the traditional design expected by collectors of the series.

Which coins are included in the 2026 Sovereign range?

The confirmed bullion denominations for the 2026 Sovereign release include the Full Sovereign, Half Sovereign, and Quarter Sovereign. At the time of writing, there is no official confirmation from The Royal Mint of a Double Sovereign or Quintuple Sovereign bullion coin being released for 2026. If issued, they may follow later or in more limited availability.

Who designed the obverse of the 2026 Sovereign?

While there is no official confirmation yet, it is expected that the 2026 Gold Sovereign will feature Martin Jennings’ official coinage portrait on the coin’s obverse. This effigy has been used on standard UK coinage since late 2022 and has appeared on the most recent Sovereigns, making it the most likely choice for the 2026 coin.

What makes the 2026 Sovereign important?

The 2026 Gold Sovereign will be a landmark release in the history of the coin series, as it links centuries of numismatic tradition together with enhanced security. By returning to a traditional yellow gold alloy, The Royal Mint has reconnected the Sovereign with its historical appearance, making it an exciting release for collectors. The introduction of modern security features like a latent image and microtext for the first time ever, reflects The Royal Mint’s focus on high standards of authenticity.

The 2026 Sovereign is more than just the next coin in the series - it is an important issue in the evolution of the Gold Sovereign.

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