A Royal treasure – My 2019 gold sovereign and a stacker’s "win-win" strategy...
There’s something timeless about the Gold Sovereign. Whether it’s the history, the craftsmanship, or the unmistakable feeling of holding real money, these iconic coins have long held a firm place in my heart—and my stack.
Today Ill be shining a light, and telling you the tale of one of my favourites: the 2019 Gold Sovereign. Not just because of its design or value, but because it represents a time in my journey where stacking gold made real financial sense.
The Sovereign is the classic British bullion coin—rich in history and universally recognised. From Queen Victoria to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the design has remained largely unchanged, most famously featuring Benedetto Pistrucci’s depiction of St George slaying the dragon. The 2019 version sticks with tradition, offering a beautiful, familiar design that feels just right in the hand.
Despite its smaller size—just under a quarter of an ounce—the Gold Sovereign has always offered big appeal. It’s easily tradable, instantly recognisable, and best of all, exempt from Capital Gains Tax here in the UK.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to collect Sovereigns from a range of years. Many came from the secondary market, thanks to a great relationship I had with a local jewellery shop owner who regularly bought coins from the public. Every few weeks, I’d stop in and take a look at what he had. I’d pay the spot price, and he’d make a small, fair profit without having to send them to a refinery. We both benefited—and I slowly built a varied and meaningful collection of Sovereigns.
My two 2019 Sovereigns(one for both my kids0 came from a different source. These were bought brand new from a reputable online bullion dealer. Even then, I managed to stick to my stacking rules—paying spot plus a couple of pounds for delivery. At the time, gold was sitting between £32 and £34 per gram. Not a bad price at all, even with hindsight.
Fast-forward to now, and gold is pushing close to £80 per gram. That’s more than double the value in just over five years. While I never bought these coins expecting quick profit, it’s certainly satisfying to see that the strategy paid off.
- Coin: 2019 UK Gold Sovereign
- Weight: 7.98g (22 carat), with 7.32g of pure gold
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Fineness: .9167 (22 carat)
- Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II (Jody Clark effigy)
- Reverse: St George and the Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci
- Capital Gains Tax exempt (UK legal tender)
- Mint: The Royal Mint
The 2019 Sovereign isn’t just a stunning piece of gold. It’s a marker in my stacking journey—a symbol of smart buying, solid connections, and the rewards of patience. Whether picked up through a friendly handshake over the counter or a keen-eyed online purchase, coins like these show that stacking isn’t just about collecting—it’s about doing it with purpose.
Gold has its ups and downs, but when you find pieces like this at the right time, it’s hard not to smile at how far they’ve come. These are the wins that keep me stacking.
