Description
In 2000, a new gold half Sovereign was issued for the Millennium, the first uncirculated half sovereign that had been issued since 1982. The obverse features Ian Rank-BroadleyÕs fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the reverse continues with the design of St George and Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci.
In 2002, a half sovereign with a shield reverse was made to commemorate the Golden Jubileee. This was the first time that a shield reverse had been used since the reign of Queen Victoria.
In 2005, a new adaptation of the St George design by Timothy Noad was featured on the reverse.
The half Sovereign of 2012 had a change in reverse design to commemorate the QueenÕs Diamond Jubilee. The classic St George & the Dragon design was replaced by an updated design created by Paul Day.
In 2015, the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark was introduced.
In 2016, a special portrait by James Butler was used to commemorate the 90th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2017, a commemorative half sovereign was produced for the 200th Anniversary of the modern version of the Sovereign. As a change from the usual design, this showed the date on the obverse of the coin with the original design of St George & the Dragon used in the reign of George III on the reverse.
