Obverse: identify the front

The 1902 museum example shows Edward VII facing right with a bare head and a short beard. The Latin royal legend circles the bust, and designer initials sit below its truncation. The portrait direction and beard distinguish Edward from the left-facing Victoria and later George V types.

Reverse: identify the back

St George, mounted on a horse, strikes the dragon, with a cape extending behind him. The date 1902 lies below the scene. Pistrucci’s design also appears on other sovereign denominations, so the reverse motif is not a reliable size or fine-weight indicator by itself.

History and purpose

Edward became king after Victoria’s death in 1901, but his first sovereign coinage was dated 1902. The Royal Mint credits de Saulles with the portrait, paired with the established rider reverse. The last year of Edward’s reign and sovereign group was 1910, preceding George V’s coinage.

How to identify this variant

Read the full royal legend and year, then confirm that it is a full sovereign near the 22.05 mm issuer reference diameter and documented nominal mass. A photograph does not show a trustworthy scale. Record any branch-mint mark instead of interpreting every Edward portrait as a London-minted coin.

Understanding its metal content

The calculation is 7.98805 g × 11 ÷ 12 = approximately 7.322379 g fine gold. Divide that result by 31.1034768 to obtain approximately 0.235420 troy oz. Eleven-twelfths is the 22/24 carat fraction; the database stores a rounded decimal fraction and a fine-weight override calculated from the rational standard. The remainder is alloy metal, not extra gold. This is nominal content, not an assay of a worn or mounted specimen.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

The issue range is 1902–1910, rather than the 1901 accession date. Branch-mint coins and different collector finishes deserve issue-level attribution. Royal Mint examples distinguish Melbourne’s M mark; other marks need their own references. The museum’s ordinary-looking photograph does not establish the finish of a different specimen.

Melt value versus collector value

Retain any original holder, set or ownership history. A branch mark, unusual finish or especially well-preserved surface can matter beyond the shared nominal gold amount. No scarcity, condition grade or current market premium is assigned to a user’s coin by comparison with this museum example.

Authenticity and condition

Compare the head, legend, rider, complete year, mint mark, measurements and actual edge. Do not infer the edge or authenticity from these two face photographs. Mounted and altered pieces require individual examination; keep any existing certification with the coin and avoid cleaning or filing.

Selling this coin

Describe the quantity as Edward VII full sovereigns and list dates and visible marks. Show both faces of unusual pieces, plus the holder or set where relevant. Use nominal fine gold for a collection total; appraisal evidence is needed to determine an offer for actual condition and identity.

Sources and calculation methodology

The original 1870 schedule records the historical denomination standard; the 1971 schedule gives the same metric standard and eleven-twelfths gold fraction. The issuer’s coin pages use shorter display weights, which are retained as rounded references rather than substituted into the standard calculation. Historical legislation is cited for specifications, not current legal or tax advice. Design and date sources are recorded separately from photograph rights. No approved live gold-price feed is configured, so dollar melt values remain unavailable. Collector prices and buyer offers require separate evaluation.

Common questions

References

• Royal Mint: exact photographed denomination and design context — identity; dates first coin 1902; design George William de Saulles obverse and Pistrucci reverse; fineness 22 carat; rounded weight 7.98 g; diameter 22.05 mm (checked 2026-10-10)
• Historical Coinage Act 1870: first schedule — identity; weight 7.98805 g historical metric standard; fineness eleven-twelfths; denomination standard, not a current legal claim (checked 2026-10-10)
• Original Coinage Act 1971: Schedule 1, gold standards — weight 7.98805 g; fineness eleven-twelfths fine gold; rational fine-weight calculation; PDF page 10 (checked 2026-10-10)
• Royal Mint: final Edward VII issue — identity; dates final year 1910; fineness 22 carat; diameter 22.05 mm; rounded weight 7.98 g (checked 2026-10-10)
• Royal Mint: Melbourne branch mark — identity; date 1907; mint mark M identifies Melbourne (checked 2026-10-10)
• Met collection: photographed Edward VII sovereign — identity; date 1902; design de Saulles and Pistrucci; accession 2001.217.21; image marked Public Domain; rounded museum diameter 23 mm not used as issuer standard (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: Edward VII sovereign dated issues

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-10. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Victoria Veiled Head Gold Sovereign

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United Kingdom • 22-carat gold: eleven-twelfths gold and one-twelfth alloy metal

Issue years: 1893–1901

Fine gold: 0.235420 troy oz

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George V Gold Sovereign

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United Kingdom • 22-carat gold: eleven-twelfths gold and one-twelfth alloy metal

Issue years: 1911–1932

Fine gold: 0.235420 troy oz

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