It's a modern (1989) commem for the 500 years of the first sovereign with queen Elizabeth I facing forward. The half sovereign is not nearly as popular and scarce as the sovereign.
edited to add, I remember Mike's auction ,but I remember also that my own Anacs PR67 half sov did not do very well.
The 1989 releases are essential for the Elizabeth II Sov Type collector, they represent one of the 5 obverses and 4 reverses used.
"The 1989 gold Proof sovereign features a new obverse and reverse design to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first gold sovereign. This issue is unique firstly by being the first ever commemorative sovereign and the first ( Imperial ) sovereign to ever have the denomination on the coin. The pound coin was introduced in 1489 by special commission of Henry VII. Struck in gold and featuring a design of the King enthroned in majesty, the new coin was to be known as the sovereign. The sovereign continued to be struck until shortly after the accession of James I in 1603, when it was replaced by other gold coins, and eventually in 1663 by the guinea. When it was re-introduced in 1817 by George III, the sovereign was given a new reverse design by the Italian engraver , Benedetto Pistrucci. The design depicts the slaying of the dragon by St. George. This popular design has become intimately linked with the sovereign, and has in fact appeared on all gold sovereigns struck from 1887 until 1988. The 1989 gold Proof sovereign features two new designs by Bernard Sindall, both of which are modern adaptations of the original sovereign design of 1489. Very few coins or currencies can boast such lengthy service"
Cruzi, you're right, it was Henry VII who issued the RRRR first sovereign, Elizabeth I's design to which I was referring to was the fifth issue from 1559, S2529. And of course it's Elizabeth II on the 1989 one. And to think I've collected sovereigns for years...
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<< <i>First time I've ever seen on of those. >>
edited to add, I remember Mike's auction ,but I remember also that my own Anacs PR67 half sov did not do very well.
myEbay
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"The 1989 gold Proof sovereign features a new obverse and reverse design to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first gold sovereign. This issue is unique firstly by being the first ever commemorative sovereign and the first ( Imperial ) sovereign to ever have the denomination on the coin.
The pound coin was introduced in 1489 by special commission of Henry VII. Struck in gold and featuring a design of the King enthroned in majesty, the new coin was to be known as the sovereign. The sovereign continued to be struck until shortly after the accession of James I in 1603, when it was replaced by other gold coins, and eventually in 1663 by the guinea.
When it was re-introduced in 1817 by George III, the sovereign was given a new reverse design by the Italian engraver , Benedetto Pistrucci. The design depicts the slaying of the dragon by St. George. This popular design has become intimately linked with the sovereign, and has in fact appeared on all gold sovereigns struck from 1887 until 1988.
The 1989 gold Proof sovereign features two new designs by Bernard Sindall, both of which are modern adaptations of the original sovereign design of 1489. Very few coins or currencies can boast such lengthy service"
myEbay
DPOTD 3