British Gold Sovereigns
British Gold Sovereigns
The London Mint first started producing coins in 886 during the reign of Alfred the Great. It moved to the Tower of London by 1279 and for the next 500 years produced the coins of the realm and achieved a monopoly on production during the 16thC. In 1696 Sir Isaac Newton became Warden of the Mint, his job being to investigate any cases of counterfeiting. He then became Master of the Mint in 1699 until his death during 1727. It was Sir Isaac Newton who was responsible for moving the Pound Sterling from silver to the gold standard in 1717.
In the 17thC the process for minting coins was mechanised with the introduction of rolling mills and coining presses, this increased need for space coupled with the outbreak of war with France necessitated that the Mint be moved from the Tower of London to a nearby site in East Smithfield. The new building, designed by James Johnson and Robert Smirke was completed in 1809.
As the capacity increased the building was subsequently rebuilt and enlarged during the 1880s, this rebuilding work continued as the demand grew and with the introduction of electricity and by the 1960s there was little evidence of the original mint apart from the gatehouse at the front and Robert smirke's building. The Mint was bombed several times by the Germans during WWII and was even put out of commission for about 3 weeks.
During 1967 it was decided that the Mint would move from London to Llantrisant in Wales. The first phase of this started in 1968, it would take a further 7 years until the last British Gold sovereigns were struck in London during November 1975. The 1809 building designed by Robert Smirke is now occupied by Barclays Global Investors.
Years British Gold Sovereigns were produced in London
London: 1817–1917, 1925, 1957 onwards
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