2017 Gold Proof Sovereign PF70 Ultra Cameo | 200th Anniversary Garter Border | NGC Certified
Free discreet RMSD Delivery
Verify online at NGCcoin.uk
CGT & VAT exempt for UK residents
14-day return policy
In 2017, The Royal Mint produced what many collectors regard as the single most important modern proof sovereign of the past two decades. To mark the 200th anniversary of the modern sovereign (1817–2017), the Mint revived Benedetto Pistrucci's original masterpiece in its truest form — the full Order of the Garter border design, last used on a sovereign in 1820, returned for the first time in nearly 200 years.
The Garter Border: A 200-Year Reunion
The standard modern proof sovereign carries a “plain field” version of Pistrucci's St George and the Dragon. The 2017 edition adds the Order of the Garter surround: a buckled strap bearing the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (Shame on him who thinks evil of it), framing the entire scene. This border had been absent from the sovereign for nearly two centuries before its 2017 revival.
The result is visually richer and historically deeper than any standard annual release. For proof sovereign collectors, the 2017 is a mandatory key date.
The Obverse Date — A One-Time-Only Feature
To preserve the Garter border design as faithfully as possible to the 1817 original, the date was moved from the reverse to the obverse — a unique departure that makes the 2017 immediately identifiable. No other modern proof sovereign carries the date on the obverse. Jody Clark's fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears alongside the date in this rare configuration.
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Certification
Graded by NGC as PF70 Ultra Cameo — the maximum possible grade for a proof coin. Under 5x magnification, no post-production imperfections exist. The “Ultra Cameo” designation confirms the exceptional frosted-versus-mirror contrast that makes the Garter strap and St George relief appear almost three-dimensional against the polished fields.
This grade also qualifies the coin for inclusion in the NGC Registry Set — where PF70 examples of key-date issues command a significant premium over lower grades.
Investment & Tax Status
British gold sovereigns are CGT exempt as legal tender and carry no VAT as investment gold — making this one of the most tax-efficient premium numismatic assets available in the UK.
Specifications
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
| Denomination | Full Sovereign (£1) |
| Reverse Design | Pistrucci St George with Order of the Garter border |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark (JC) |
| Obverse Feature | Date on obverse — unique to this issue |
| Grading Service | NGC |
| Grade | PF70 Ultra Cameo |
| Metal | 22 Carat Gold |
| Gold Purity | 916.7‰ |
| Weight | 7.98g |
| Diameter | 22.05mm |
| Finish | Proof |
| Edge | Milled |
| Issued By | The Royal Mint |
| Tax Status | VAT-Free & CGT Exempt |
| Historical Note | Garter border first used since 1820 |
NGC Cert: Verify this coin on NGC →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Garter border on the 2017 sovereign?
The Garter border is the Order of the Garter surround — a buckled strap with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense — that encircles Pistrucci's St George design. It featured on the original 1817 sovereign but was absent from British coinage for nearly 200 years before the 2017 anniversary revival.
Why is the date on the obverse of the 2017 sovereign?
The date was moved to the obverse to allow the reverse Garter border design to remain true to the 1817 original. No other modern proof sovereign carries this configuration.
Is the 2017 sovereign a good investment?
As a key date in the modern proof sovereign series — with a unique reverse type that has not been repeated — the 2017 PF70 has historically held a strong premium over standard annual releases. All British gold sovereigns are CGT exempt.
Explore more: View our full range of graded sovereigns and gold coins.
Choose options
Have a question before ordering?
Get in Touch
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
Delivery Information
We offer free insured delivery across the UK on all orders. Every coin is carefully inspected, securely packaged, and sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery - a fully tracked, next-day service that requires a signature on receipt.
All parcels are shipped discreetly and fully insured for peace of mind.
We currently do not ship internationally. Orders can only be delivered to the UK address provided at checkout, and we’re unable to send to PO Box addresses.
We aim to dispatch all orders within one business day of receiving cleared payment. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking details so you can monitor its progress.
Returns Policy
For non-bullion items (such as proof coins, graded coins or accessories), we’re happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt if you feel your coin is not as described and provided the item is returned in its original condition, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.
If an item is returned for reasons other than being not as described, return postage will be the responsibility of the buyer.
Important Notes
- All returns must be pre-authorised by our customer service team.
- Please use a tracked and insured service when sending items back to us, as we cannot accept liability for goods lost or damaged in transit.
- For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly with any questions.
At Sovara Coins, your security is our priority. To protect both our customers and ourselves from fraud, we currently accept debit card and bank transfer payments only.
- Debit card payments are processed securely through our trusted payment provider, giving you instant confirmation at checkout.
- Bank transfer payments are also welcome and full instructions will be provided during the checkout process.
Please note that we do not accept credit cards. This policy helps us keep prices competitive and ensures all transactions remain low-risk and fully traceable.
For your protection:
- Billing and shipping addresses must match.
- On higher-value orders, we may request ID verification before dispatch. This is a quick process and helps keep your purchase safe.
Every payment method we accept is fully secure, encrypted and protected. Once payment is confirmed, your order will be prepared for dispatch within one business day.
Yes. Every NGC-certified coin has a unique certification number visible on the slab label. You can verify the grade, coin details and population data at NGCcoin.uk using the cert number shown.
The NGC census records how many examples of each coin have been graded at each level. A Top Pop coin means no other example has achieved a higher grade — making it the finest certified specimen in existence for that issue.
Yes. If you have existing graded sovereigns you'd like to trade towards a purchase, contact us for a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.