You'd know to it if you had one of these coins in your pocket. Diamond shaped and 22-carat gold, they're a commemorative coin for an "historic year in British royal history".
However, the new editions are aimed at coin collectors rather than being a new addition to the country's currency. And as there are only 5,999 being struck, you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of one.
Hailed as the "world’s first collection of diamond shaped gold sovereigns", the design of the coin has been created to mark the 125th anniversary of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. She was Britain's second longest reigning monarch.
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As the nation readies itself to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II - Queen Victoria’s great-great granddaughter, rare coin specialists Hattons of London, says the new coin has been struck in solid 22-carat gold and features the special one-eighth sovereign coin with portraits of both monarchs. This is the first time both Queens have been depicted on the same coin.
Simon Mellinger, Hattons Managing Director, said: "2022 is a historic year in British royal history as we not only celebrate our own Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but we also mark the 125th Anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee of her great great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
“As our longest reigning monarchs, the reigns of these two great Queens are often compared, and for good reason: the impact of both women on British society has been profound. This new collection not only brings to market the world’s first diamond shaped sovereign design, but the fact that some of the denominations have never before featured a portrait of Queen Victoria offers a fitting tribute to the monarch who presided over a period that truly changed the course of history."
According to the specialist, the half sovereign is the first gold sovereign to feature Queen Victoria’s ‘Bun Head’ portrait, which during her reign was used only on bronze coins (from 1860-1895).
The quarter sovereign features the ‘Jubilee Head’ portrait, introduced for Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and used until 1893. This portrait appeared on the half sovereign, sovereign, double sovereign, and five pound coins during her reign, but there was no quarter sovereign. In fact, this portrait has never before appeared on a quarter sovereign, making this coin the first of its kind. The quarter and half sovereigns are however not available singly.
The collection also includes the first ever one-eighth sovereign to feature an adaptation of the celebrated ‘Young Portrait’ of Queen Victoria by William Wyon, which depicts her in her youth. The collection is currently being sold at prices starting from £69.
Mr Mellinger said: “The collection has already proven popular, and off the back of the interest that we have seen with recent ranges including the sold-out Platinum Jubilee Monarch Range and the popular Her Majesty’s Graces range, we don’t expect the 2022 Queen Victoria 125th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Collection to be around for long.”
