1917 George V Sydney Mint Gold Sovereign

1917 George V Sydney Mint Gold Sovereign

This 1917 George V Gold Sovereign was struck at the Sydney branch of The Royal Mint during the First World War. Produced to the traditional sovereign standard in 22-carat gold, it forms part of Australia’s historic branch-mint sovereign series.

The obverse features Bertram Mackennal’s bare-headed portrait of King George V facing left, surrounded by the Latin royal legend. The reverse carries Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic depiction of St George slaying the dragon, with the date 1917 below and the distinctive “S” mintmark identifying production at the Sydney Mint.

A total of 1,666,000 sovereigns were struck at Sydney in 1917. The issue dates from an important period in both sovereign and British history, with wartime gold coinage having largely disappeared from everyday circulation and 1917 also marking the establishment of the House of Windsor.