Unavailable Years Sovereign

The Victorian era saw a huge change in the industrial outlook of Britain and its Empire. As new sources of Gold were discovered in colonies like Australia, Canada and India several Branch Mints were authorised and opened in order to meet the growing demand.

Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 gold coins were removed from circulation in order to support paying for the war effort. The continued economic pressures following WWI and the lead up to the Second World War throughout the 1930’s meant that Gold would be kept in reserve rather than being used for circulation.

Not until the 1970’s did demand and the move to decimalisation result in Gold Sovereigns returning to annual production. The current Royal Mint at Llantrisant was built in order to meet these needs, and Sovereigns have been produced there annually since 1979.

Specific Dates

The following are the years in which Gold Sovereigns were not produced: 1834, 1867, 1933 – 1936, 1938 – 1956, 1960 – 1961, 1969 – 1972.