How to Identify the Double Sovereign

What It Is

The Double Sovereign is a British gold coin with a face value of two pounds, effectively a larger companion to the standard one-pound Sovereign. It has been struck at various points since the 19th century, most often for proof and commemorative sets rather than general circulation, and remains a modern Royal Mint product prized by collectors for its gold content and traditional design. It shares its design heritage with the wider Sovereign family, which also includes the Half Sovereign, standard Sovereign, and the larger Five Pound coin, all typically issued together as part of matched proof sets in modern times.

Obverse Design and Inscriptions

The obverse carries the profile portrait of the reigning monarch, with the specific portrait style depending on the year and monarch, along with the date of issue.

Reverse Design and Inscriptions

Most Double Sovereigns use the classic Benedetto Pistrucci design of Saint George on horseback slaying a dragon, the same iconic image used on the standard Sovereign, scaled up for this larger coin. Some 19th-century and commemorative issues instead show a crowned shield design rather than the Saint George motif, so both reverse types exist depending on the specific date.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

The Double Sovereign weighs 15.98 grams and measures 28.4 mm in diameter, exactly twice the weight of a standard Sovereign while sharing its 22-carat (.9167 fine) gold standard. The edge is reeded.

Mint Marks and Where to Find Them

Historic Double Sovereigns struck at branch mints (such as those in Australia during the British Empire era) may carry a small mint mark near the base of the design on the reverse, similar in placement to standard Sovereigns of the same period. Modern Royal Mint issues from London typically do not carry a separate mint mark.

Telling It Apart From Similar Coins

The Double Sovereign is essentially a scaled-up Sovereign, so comparing diameter and weight against a standard Sovereign (22 mm, 7.99 grams) is the clearest way to confirm which denomination is in hand. It should not be confused with the larger Five Pound gold coin, which is bigger still and shares the same designs at yet another scale.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Check the fine detail of Saint George's figure, the horse's legs, and the dragon beneath, as these raised elements are the first to show wear or handling marks. Because many Double Sovereigns are struck to proof or uncirculated standard for collectors, look for a fully lustrous, mark-free surface as an indicator of top condition.

Authenticity Red Flags

Verify the coin's weight and diameter precisely against official specifications, since underweight examples are the most reliable sign of a counterfeit. A color that looks too pale, too orange, or otherwise inconsistent with genuine 22-carat gold, along with any magnetic response, should raise immediate suspicion. Because Double Sovereigns carry meaningful gold value, purchasing from a reputable dealer and keeping any accompanying certification is a sensible precaution.