1914 King George V Perth Mint Gold Sovereign – 22ct Gold

The 1914 King George V Gold Sovereign is a historic British Empire gold coin struck at the Perth branch of the Royal Mint in Western Australia. Produced in 22 carat (.9167 fine) gold, this sovereign weighs 7.98 grams and contains approximately 7.322 grams (0.2354 troy ounces) of pure gold. As a World War I–era issue, it represents one of the final years before gold sovereign circulation declined significantly due to wartime economic changes.

The obverse features the left-facing portrait of King George V, designed by Sir Bertram Mackennal, an Australian sculptor whose effigy was used throughout the George V sovereign series. The reverse displays Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St. George and the Dragon design, one of the most enduring motifs in global coinage history. The small “P” mintmark beneath the exergue identifies this coin as a Perth Mint issue, linking it directly to Australia’s gold-mining heritage and its role in supplying sovereigns to the British Empire.

The 1914 Perth Mint Sovereign is particularly notable for its wartime context and relatively lower survival rates in higher grades. While still a recognised bullion sovereign with strong liquidity, it also carries added collector interest due to its historical significance as one of the early Great War issues.