King Charles III
Celebrating 125 years of The Perth Mint: 2024 Australia Gold Proof Sovereign
The Perth Mint has a storied history rooted in the gold rush of the 1850s, a time when vast quantities of precious metal were unearthed in Western Australia. To capitalise on this wealth, The Perth Mint was established in 1899 as a branch of Britain’s Royal Mint. Since then, it has become a cornerstone of Australia’s numismatic heritage. In a nod to it’s past, The Perth Mint proudly announces the release of the 2024 Australia Gold Proof Sovereign.
This edition is truly special. It’s the first Australia Sovereign to feature King Charles III, with the reverse redesigned to pay homage to the first-ever Perth Mint Sovereign struck 125 years ago. This new design presents a fresh interpretation of the classic St. George and the Dragon.
Struck by The Perth Mint from 22 carat gold, the design itself re-imagines the traditional St George and the Dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci, depicting a warrior on horseback brandishing a sword above a vanquished dragon.
The intricate design is encircled by the inscriptions ‘AUSTRALIA’, ‘2024’, and also a a special ‘P125’ mintmark – signifying the Australian coin has been struck at The Perth Mint on this 125th Anniversary year.
The obverse features Royal Mint artist, Dan Thorne’s, portrait of King Charles III. This is the first time that King Charles features on an Australian Sovereign, marking another key moment in numismatic history.
Explore the design
Use the interactive points in the image below to explore the original St George and the Dragon design and the brand-new design featuring on the 2024 Australian Gold Proof Sovereign.
A Limited Edition Masterpiece
The edition limit for this coin is just 2,000, making it over three times scarcer than the sold-out UK 2024 Gold Proof Sovereign. Struck to the same exacting standards as the UK Gold Proof Sovereign, this coin weighs 7.98 grams of 22-carat gold. It is the first Sovereign issued since the Platinum Jubilee edition in 2022, marking a two-year hiatus due to the change of monarch.
A Tribute to History
The very first coin minted by The Perth Mint in 1899 is a piece of history permanently displayed in its gold exhibition. This coin was the first of 106 million sovereigns produced until 1931, marking the beginning of a legacy that continues to shine brightly.
The 2024 Australian Gold Proof Sovereign is a remarkable tribute to 125 years of rich heritage, as well as a unique milestone in a brand-new legacy of King Charles III. This limited edition coin, with its exquisite design and high-quality craftsmanship, is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Secure your piece of history and celebrate the golden legacy of The Perth Mint and 125 years of the Australian Sovereign.
>> CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOURS NOW <<
My Unforgettable Day with the Red Arrows
Written by Jonathan Patterson.
I’ve always been captivated by the Red Arrows, and the chance to see them up close at RAF Waddington was a dream come true.
Our day began in the early morning as we arrived at the base, passing through tight security checks with a sense of mounting excitement. We eagerly awaited our Red Arrows escort, who would take us to the heart of their operations.
As soon as we stepped off the Red Arrows mini-bus, the deafening roar of jet engines filled the air. We hurried to the viewing point only metres away from the runway, as the Red Arrows formed up and took off in a stunning, orchestrated formation.
For the next 20-30 minutes, the Red Arrows captivated us with their brand-new display for their 60th Diamond Season. Their daring barrel rolls, incredibly close manoeuvres, and crowd favourites like the Tornado left us in awe. The nine Hawk Jets flew overhead in an awe-inspiring sight, the thunderous noise was incredible. Starting with Red 1, each jet gracefully peeled away to land, marking the end of an unforgettable performance.
In need of a moment to absorb the experience, we decided to grab a cup of coffee. Within five minutes, a group of officers entered, with distinct marks around their ears from wearing some sort of helmets. It was then that I realised these were the Red Arrows pilots themselves, casually grabbing their coffees in their Red Arrows mugs. I was in complete awe of these men, who moments ago were hurtling through the clouds at over 500 mph.
Our RAF contact informed us that we only had a few minutes before debrief with the pilots. Led by Red One, Jon Bond, the meeting was a fascinating insight into their meticulous process. Each pilot critiqued their performance, highlighting areas for improvement and discussing how to perfect their manoeuvres for the next sortie that day. I was amazed to learn that the Red Arrows conduct these sorties and debriefs three times a day, every day, to ensure their displays are flawless and maintain their public display authority.
Next, we had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Red 10, Graeme Muscat. He shared insights about the Red Arrows, their intense manoeuvres, their strong focus on teamwork, and how they are a beacon for Great Britain, flying the red, white, and blue all over the world.
We were incredibly excited to show Graeme the brand-new 50p coins specially made to celebrate the 60th Diamond Season of the Red Arrows. His elation was clear as he smiled and said, “I think it’s amazing… I can keep that one, right?”
Our day with the Red Arrows was nothing short of extraordinary. From witnessing their breath-taking display to meeting the pilots and learning about their dedication, it was an experience that left us deeply inspired. The Red Arrows continue to be a symbol of excellence, teamwork, and pride for Great Britain.
To commemorate this special occasion, a brand-new coin range has been released to celebrate 60 years of the Red Arrows.
>>> Click here to explore the complete Red Arrows 60th Anniversary Diamond Season coin range <<<
The Evolution of UK Banknotes: From Paper to Precision
The history of banknotes in the United Kingdom is a fascinating journey of innovation, security, and tradition. From the earliest issues to the forthcoming King Charles III banknotes, each phase reflects the technological and cultural shifts of its time.
A Brief History of UK Banknotes
The Bank of England began issuing banknotes shortly after its establishment in 1694. Initially, these notes were handwritten, a far cry from the highly sophisticated currency we use today. By the mid-18th century, partially printed notes were introduced, with the denomination and other details filled in by hand.
Source: Bank of England website
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum/online-collections/blog/our-earliest-bank-of-england-note
The 19th century brought significant changes with fully printed notes and the introduction of standardized designs to prevent forgery. A pivotal moment in the history of UK banknotes came in 1960 when Queen Elizabeth II became the first monarch to be featured on the Bank of England notes. Her portrait on the £1 note marked the beginning of a tradition of depicting reigning monarchs on the nation’s currency, providing a sense of continuity and national identity.
Security Features: From Simplicity to Sophistication
As technology advanced, so did the sophistication of banknote security features. Early notes relied heavily on the quality of the paper and intricate designs to deter counterfeiters. However, as counterfeiting techniques improved, so too did the security measures.
Modern UK banknotes are a marvel of technology and design. Click on the dots below to explore the key security features:
Introducing the King Charles III Banknotes
In a historic move, the Bank of England is set to release the new King Charles III banknotes on June 5th, 2024. This marks the first time in over 70 years that a new monarch’s portrait will grace the currency, following the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The King Charles III banknotes will continue to feature the same high-security features of their predecessors and the new banknotes will initially be available in £5, £10, £20, and £50 denominations. They will circulate alongside the existing Queen Elizabeth II notes, gradually phasing out the older series as they wear out.
Introducing the DateStamp™ Set: Connecting the Past and Present
To commemorate this historic transition, we are excited to introduce an exclusive DateStamp™ set that brings together the past and the present of UK currency. This unique collection features the Queen Elizabeth II £5 and £10 banknotes alongside the brand new King Charles III £5 and £10 banknotes, each postmarked on the official issue date, 5th June, 2024.
You can now be one of just 2,024 collectors to own this special set.
Click here now to pre-order yours before the official release >>