The Martin Jennings Portrait — King Charles III Gold Sovereigns 2022 to Present
The accession of King Charles III in September 2022 brought the most significant change in British sovereign coinage for seventy years. The first sovereign portrait of the new reign was created by sculptor Martin Jennings FRSS — best known outside numismatics for his public sculptures of Philip Larkin in Hull and John Betjeman in St Pancras station. His portrait of King Charles III, selected through a rigorous competitive process, introduced the Carolean era on British coinage.
Jennings' portrait — uncrowned, as is the convention for male monarchs on British coinage — faces left, following the centuries-old tradition of alternating portrait directions. The initials MJ appear on the truncation. It was first used on the 2022 Memorial sovereign series and has been the definitive portrait for all subsequent sovereign issues.
The Most Important Modern Sovereign Transition
For collectors, the beginning of a new reign represents the most significant numismatic event in a generation. The 2022 Memorial series carries dual historical weight: it is simultaneously the last sovereign of the Elizabethan era and the first of the Carolean — the only coins to exist at the exact hinge point of two reigns. The first-year-of-reign type is one of the most consistently valued categories in numismatics, and the 2022 Memorial sovereign in PF70 is already established as a key date.
The 2023 Coronation sovereign introduces a second obverse type unique to the Carolean era: a crowned portrait of King Charles III, created for the Coronation series and never to be repeated on any other sovereign. It is the only sovereign in the entire series to show the King wearing the crown. For type collectors, it is an irreplaceable addition to any Carolean set.
Building a Carolean Sovereign Collection
The Carolean era is still being written. Each new year brings additional issues — standard annual proofs, commemorative special reverses, and Strike on the Day matte issues — adding to a series that will ultimately span decades. Collectors entering the series now have the opportunity to build a complete first-decade type set from the outset.
All Carolean era sovereigns are struck in 22-carat gold, are CGT exempt as legal tender for UK residents, and carry no VAT as investment gold.
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