User:Wehwalt/sandbox3

The sovereign series consists of the British sovereign coin and its multiples and fractions. Struck since 1817, the sovereign became an international coin in the 19th century, accepted in many nations as a known quantity of gold.

The half sovereign also circulated widely, though it was less used in other nations. The double sovereign and five pound coin also form part of the sovereign series, though both coins, first struck in 1820, rarely circulated. The coins started to leave circulation in 1914, as gold coinage was replaced by paper money in Britain. The sovereign especially took on a new role as a bullion coin, often accepted in the Middle East.

Beginning in 1980, the sovereign was struck by the Royal Mint for collectors, and all four denominations have been issued in most years since then. A quarter sovereign was added to the range in 2009. The sovereign has also been used in jewelry and in ceremonial items.