What year did the British sovereign turn to rose gold?

Orlena

I have some from earlier years and they gold in color vs the last few years that are rose gold. Same gold content but I guess a different recipe. Thx

Exbrit

@oelena While I am more familiar with pre-1933 sovereigns, I’ll take a shot at this:
It would be interesting to compare a 1974 and 2021 sovereign for appearance as they have the same alloy content. Normally sovereigns are struck using a gold-copper alloy of approximately 11 parts gold and 1 part copper. This is 92% gold and 8% copper. This varies very slightly however (tolerance range). A comparison between the 1988 and 2021 sovereign shows that there is a slightly higher copper and a slightly lower gold content in the 2021. The 1988 also has the slightest trace of silver in the alloy. This would cause the 2021 sovereign to take on a more reddish color, or rose as you call it. They are within the tolerance range, however.

The above analysis has to have independent verification before it is considered fact.

If you really want to see a contrast in color look at a 1855-1867 Australian sovereign to the 2021 or 2022. Much higher silver content in the alloy.

Exbrit

It’s not hard to determine the tolerance (fineness, weight and diameter), but there isn’t a complete analysis, that I know of, concerning the exact alloy percentages for each year of the modern sovereign. Something to research maybe.

Exbrit

@orlena there seems to have been a transition to copper, instead of a copper-silver mix, used in the alloy starting in 2018. Copper was always the primary alloy used with the gold, but in 2018 seems to be an adjustment to all copper. I will confirm this with the mint.

Exbrit

A good question for the Royal Mint. The RM is pretty consistent in their use of alloys over the years. Their consistency helped make the sovereign universally recognized, There has been slight differences at times in the use of alloys if talking about some of the colonial issues. Additionally there is a slight difference in the color of gold in different regions of the world.

What years and mints are you comparing?

Also the definition of rose gold can be a bit ambiguous.

Orlena

Thanks, I’m looking at a 2021 and 2022 vs a 1989 and 2002 and see a noticeable color difference. The more recent issues have a “rosier” color. They are all directly from the RM so I’m certain of their authenticity.

Sapyx

You can see the same red tint on the Royal Mint's promotional material of recent sovereign issues, on their website.