1989 Gold 5 Pound Coin BU - 500th anniversary of the Gold Sovereign

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the gold sovereign, a completely new design was created for the 1989 sovereign series. A design similar to that of the first gold sovereign issued in 1489 was chosen. 

For the obverse impression, a representation Of Ourself as at Our Coronation, seated in King Edward's Chair, having received the Sceptre with the Cross and the Rod with the Dove, all within the circumscription 'ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF' can be seen.

A small circled 'U' below King Edward's Chair on the obverse means the coin is of BU quality.

The reverse depicts a Shield of Our Royal Arms ensigned by an open Royal Crown, the whole superimposed upon a double Rose (Known as the 'Tudor Rose'), and with the circumscription 'ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLD SOVEREIGN 1489 - 1989'.

Both the obverse and reverse designs were created by Bernard Sindall.

The coin is made of solid 22 carat gold (Gold fineness of 0.916), and was issued housed in a Royal Mint acrylic screw top capsule. The coin is presented in its Royal Mint wooden case, accompanied with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity (COA).

The gold five pounds piece has a weight of 39.94 grams.

Only 2,937 BU gold five pounds pieces were issued by the Royal Mint in 1989.