1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026
1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026 is the latest edition of one of the most iconic motifs in British numismatic history — the classic image of Saint George slaying the dragon. The coin is issued by The Royal Mint — the United Kingdom's national minting institution — in pure gold of 999.9 fineness. Each piece contains 1 troy ounce (31.1035 g) of gold and carries a denomination of 100 GBP, making it an official legal tender of the United Kingdom.
The motif of St. George on Royal Mint coins dates back to 1817, when Benedetto Pistrucci — an Italian sculptor and medallist employed by the Royal Mint — created a design that has adorned Sovereigns and other British gold coins for over two centuries. The St. George and the Dragon series as a standalone 1 oz gold bullion coin made its debut in 2024, and the 2026 edition continues this tradition. For many buyers of physical gold, it is the natural alternative to the Britannia — the second iconic Royal Mint motif, paired with the highest fineness and a full troy ounce of pure gold.
The obverse of the 2026 issue carries the portrait of King Charles III by sculptor Martin Jennings, approved in 2023. The reverse — Pistrucci's unchanged masterpiece — frames within a 32.69 mm gold disc a timeless scene of chivalric triumph whose epic power has not diminished over more than two centuries.
The St. George and the Dragon series — history, Pistrucci and the Royal Mint
Benedetto Pistrucci (1783-1855) was an Italian sculptor and engraver-medallist who came to London at the beginning of the 19th century and quickly gained recognition in Royal Mint circles. In 1817 he created the reverse design St. George and the Dragon, which first appeared on the English Sovereign — a new gold coin introduced following the monetary reform after the Napoleonic Wars. Pistrucci's image — a rider on horseback thrusting a lance through a writhing dragon — became one of the most celebrated coin designs in the world.
For over 200 years this motif adorned successive generations of Sovereigns and appeared on anniversary and commemorative Royal Mint issues. In 2024 the Royal Mint decided to issue a standalone 1 oz gold bullion coin featuring this design — creating the St. George and the Dragon series, making the legendary motif available in the purest gold at 999.9 fineness. The 2026 edition continues this still-young series, which has already built a broad base of collectors and gold buyers worldwide.
Price of the 1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026
The price of the 1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026 is based on current gold spot prices at LBMA and COMEX markets, plus a mint and trade premium. As a relatively new series, launched in 2024, this coin sits in the segment of popular bullion emissions with a competitive premium — comparable to the Britannia and other main Royal Mint series.
To assess the current purchase timing and track the coin's price relative to gold spot, it is worth regularly checking the precious metals prices and rates on the GoldInvest24 website. The 999.9 fineness guarantees that virtually the entire value of the coin is held directly in the gold.
Why physical gold in the form of bullion coins?
Physical gold has served for thousands of years as one of the most reliable stores of value — without counterparty risk, recognised globally regardless of borders and monetary systems. Bullion coins of 1 oz pure gold combine this function with a practical, standardised form: precisely defined weight, fineness confirmed by a renowned mint and high secondary market liquidity.
By choosing the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz, the buyer receives a product issued by one of the world's most prestigious minting institutions — with a design over 200 years in the making and gold at the highest available standard of purity. The full range of gold bullion coins from various mints and denominations can be compared at GoldInvest24.
Obverse — portrait of King Charles III
The obverse of the 2026 coin features the portrait of King Charles III by sculptor Martin Jennings, approved by The Royal Mint in 2023. Jennings, a distinguished British sculptor, created a bust of the king — continuing the British numismatic tradition of alternating the direction of portraits of successive monarchs. The obverse carries the inscription CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX, the denomination 100 POUNDS and the year of issue 2026.
Reverse — St. George and the Dragon after Pistrucci's design
Why choose the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz Gold Coin 2026?
The St. George and the Dragon 1 oz Gold Coin 2026 combines two indisputable strengths: the legendary Pistrucci motif — for over 200 years the hallmark of the British Royal Mint and the most celebrated reverse in English coin history — and the 999.9 fineness, the highest available standard of purity for bullion coins. This combination makes it particularly appealing both to collectors of historical motifs and to buyers seeking a classic ounce of pure gold in a prestigious, historically grounded format.
As a relatively new standalone series (debut 2024), the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz has its own emission history yet to be written — each successive year enriches that narrative. For buyers who value the Royal Mint standard while preferring a different motif to the Britannia, the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz is the natural and obvious choice.
Key benefits of purchase
- 1 troy ounce of gold at 999.9 fineness — highest standard for bullion coins,
- issued by The Royal Mint — one of the oldest and most prestigious minting institutions in the world,
- classic Pistrucci design from 1817 — over 200 years of motif history on coins,
- portrait of King Charles III — first new monarch on Royal Mint coins in over 70 years,
- denomination of 100 GBP — official legal tender of the United Kingdom,
- 2026 edition — continuation of the St. George series (debut 2024),
- diameter 32.69 mm, weight 31.1035 g — standard 1 oz gold format,
- strong recognition on secondary markets — Royal Mint motif known worldwide,
- attractive alternative to the Britannia with the same gold standard and mint,
- exceptional sculptural quality of the reverse — three-dimensional composition in 999.9 gold.
Is it worth buying the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz Gold Coin 2026?
The St. George and the Dragon 1 oz Gold Coin 2026 is a product that unites history and modernity. The Pistrucci motif, created over 200 years ago, is one of the most recognised numismatic designs in the world — and now available in the format of a 1 oz bullion coin in the purest gold at 999.9 fineness, issued by The Royal Mint with full minting legitimacy. For buyers who value the heritage and prestige of the British mint, this is a coin that perfectly completes any physical gold collection.
If you are looking for where to buy 1 oz Royal Mint gold bullion coins, GoldInvest24 offers authentic 2026 editions in mint condition. Each piece contains a full ounce of pure gold bearing the legendary motif — ready to enrich your collection or precious metals holdings.
Comparison of popular 1 oz gold bullion coins
The following table presents the most frequently chosen 1 oz gold bullion coins, comparing their key parameters. The St. George coin stands out with its classic, historically established British motif at 999.9 fineness.
| Coin |
Country of issue |
Gold fineness |
Weight |
Issued from |
Denomination |
| St. George and the Dragon 1 oz |
United Kingdom |
999.9 |
1 oz |
2024 |
100 GBP |
| Britannia 1 oz |
United Kingdom |
999.9 |
1 oz |
1987 |
100 GBP |
| Maple Leaf 1 oz |
Canada |
999.9 |
1 oz |
1979 |
50 CAD |
| Krugerrand 1 oz |
South Africa |
916.7 |
1 oz |
1967 |
no formal denomination |
| Vienna Philharmonic 1 oz |
Austria |
999.9 |
1 oz |
1989 |
100 EUR |
FAQ — 1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026
Who was Benedetto Pistrucci and why is his design so celebrated?
Benedetto Pistrucci (1783-1855) was an Italian sculptor and medallist who created the St. George and the Dragon design for the Royal Mint in 1817. The motif first appeared on the English Sovereign and for over 200 years has adorned successive generations of British gold coins. Pistrucci was a master cameo carver, and his ability to create three-dimensional compositions on flat coin surfaces made the image of the knight and dragon one of the most celebrated in the history of numismatics.
How does the St. George and the Dragon 1 oz series differ from the Sovereign?
The Sovereign is a historical coin weighing approximately 7.98 g with a fineness of 916.7 (22 carats) — considerably smaller and at a lower purity. The St. George and the Dragon 1 oz series (debut 2024) is a full-scale bullion coin of 31.1035 g and 999.9 fineness — containing nearly four times more gold at the highest purity standard. They share the Pistrucci reverse motif but differ significantly in specification and purpose.
How much does the St. George coin weigh and what is its fineness?
The coin weighs 31.1035 g (1 troy ounce) of pure gold at a fineness of 999.9 — so-called four-nines, 24-carat gold. The diameter is 32.69 mm. The denomination is 100 GBP — the coin is official legal tender of the United Kingdom.
When was the St. George and the Dragon series launched as a standalone bullion coin?
The St. George and the Dragon series as a standalone 1 oz gold bullion coin at 999.9 fineness made its debut in 2024. The 2026 edition is the third issue of the series. Previously, the Pistrucci motif was available mainly on Sovereigns and limited collector editions of the Royal Mint.
Which king's portrait appears on the obverse of the 2026 coin?
The obverse carries the portrait of King Charles III by sculptor Martin Jennings, approved by The Royal Mint in 2023. It is the first new monarch's portrait on official Royal Mint coins after over 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
Is the coin exempt from VAT?
Yes. The coin meets the requirements of Council Directive 2006/112/EC: it is a gold coin at over 900/1000 fineness, struck after 1800, and is official legal tender in its country of issue (100 GBP, United Kingdom). The purchase is made without any VAT surcharge.
Why choose the 1 oz St. George coin over the Britannia?
Both coins are issued by The Royal Mint at 999.9 fineness and 1 oz weight, with an identical denomination of 100 GBP. The difference lies in the motifs: the Britannia shows the allegory of Britannia; St. George and the Dragon shows Pistrucci's 1817 design. The choice between them is a matter of aesthetic and historical preference — in terms of precious metal content, both products are equivalent.
Order the 1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026 at GoldInvest24 and add to your collection one of the most iconic numismatic motifs in the world. Each piece contains 31.1035 g of pure gold at 999.9 fineness with over 200 years of Pistrucci and Royal Mint heritage — history cast in gold of the highest purity.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product name |
1 oz St. George and the Dragon Gold Coin 2026 |
| Metal |
Gold |
| Fineness |
999.9 |
| Weight |
1 troy ounce |
| Mass |
31.1035 g |
| Diameter |
32.69 mm |
| Denomination |
100 GBP |
| Form |
Bullion coin |
| Country of origin |
United Kingdom |
| Producer |
The Royal Mint (Llantrisant, Wales) |
| Series emission |
From 2024 |
| Year |
2026 |
| Packaging |
Protective capsule |
In accordance with Article 122 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, the supply of investment gold is exempt from VAT. Investment gold within the meaning of this directive includes gold coins struck after 1800, with a fineness of at least 900/1000, that are or were legal tender in the country of origin. The coin 1 oz St. George and the Dragon 2026 meets all these conditions — it is a gold bullion coin at 999.9 fineness with a denomination of 100 GBP as official legal tender of the United Kingdom. The purchase is therefore made without any VAT surcharge.