Double Sovereign Charles III Gold Coin | 2027

2027 Double Sovereign Charles III — 14.64 g of 916.7 gold, latent image and micro-text

The 2027 Double Sovereign is a Royal Mint bullion coin weighing 15.976 g and containing about 14.64 g of fine gold (0.4708 troy oz), struck in 916.7 (22-carat) alloy, 28.40 mm in diameter, with a face value of £2. It holds exactly twice the gold of a Sovereign and carries the same design as the other 2027 sizes: Martin Jennings' portrait of King Charles III with a latent image and half-tone pattern on the obverse, and Benedetto Pistrucci's St George with micro-text on the reverse.

As UK legal tender, the coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. Within the EU its sale is VAT-exempt as gold bullion under Article 344 of Directive 2006/112/EC.

Technical specification

Why this coin

• 14.64 g of fine gold in a single coin — the gold of two Sovereigns, with one piece to store and check.
• Three Royal Mint security features you can check by eye or with a loupe: the latent image, the half-tone pattern and the micro-text around the reverse.
• 22-carat yellow gold — according to the Royal Mint, only the second time this century, after years of rose-toned alloy.
• The 28.40 mm field shows Pistrucci's composition more clearly than the 22.05 mm Sovereign.
• The £2 coin has two centuries of history but rarely circulated — it was struck for circulation in only four years.

History of the Double Sovereign

The first Double Sovereigns were struck in 1820 with the portrait of George III, but as patterns that never entered circulation. The £2 coin was issued for circulation in only four years: 1823 (George IV), 1887 and 1893 (Victoria) and 1902 (Edward VII). Otherwise it was struck mostly in proof, in coronation and jubilee sets.

Since 1980 the Royal Mint has sold the Double Sovereign to collectors and struck it in most years. In 2026 the whole Sovereign range returned to yellow gold and gained optical security features; 2027 is the second year of this design.

Obverse — portrait of King Charles III with latent image

The uncrowned, left-facing portrait of the King is by Martin Jennings. Just below the bust sits the latent image: depending on the angle of the light, the field shows the Tudor Crown or the Tudor Rose. The background carries a half-tone pattern — a grid of dots of varying size that loses sharpness on cast fakes or coins struck from copied dies.

Reverse — Pistrucci's St George with micro-text

The reverse repeats Benedetto Pistrucci's composition: the horseman fighting the dragon, with the date 2027 in the exergue. Around the edge runs micro-text with the motto of the Order of the Garter, "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE", readable under a 10x loupe. On the 28.40 mm coin the relief of horse and rider is larger than on the Sovereign, so the detail is visible to the naked eye.

What to check when buying

The 2027 and 2026 Double Sovereigns share the same design and security features — only the date on the reverse differs, so check the year when buying and reselling. This is a bullion coin, not a proof: the field may be reflective, and small contact marks are normal and do not change the gold content. The latent image should switch smoothly between crown and rose as you tilt the coin; weight 15.976 g and diameter 28.40 mm can be confirmed with a 0.01 g scale and callipers. The Royal Mint has not published the thickness or a mintage limit for this issue. The premium per gram of gold on a Double Sovereign is usually higher than on one-ounce coins.

Why GoldInvest24

Shipments are insured and packed without any indication of the contents. Other sizes and years are in the Gold Sovereigns category, the full range in Gold Coins, and the current gold price under Gold price.

The Sovereign family compared

Frequently asked questions about the 2027 Double Sovereign

How much fine gold is in the 2027 Double Sovereign?

About 14.64 g, or 0.4708 troy oz, in a coin weighing 15.976 g. The rest of the alloy is the addition that gives 22-carat gold its hardness.

How does the Double Sovereign differ from the standard Sovereign?

It has twice the weight and gold content (14.64 g vs 7.32 g), a 28.40 mm instead of 22.05 mm diameter and a £2 instead of £1 face value. The design, the 916.7 fineness and the 2027 security features are the same.

How does the 2027 issue differ from 2026?

Only by the date on the reverse. Both years have the Jennings portrait with latent image and half-tone pattern, St George with micro-text and 916.7 yellow gold; 2026 was the first year of this design.

How do I check the latent image?

Tilt the coin and watch the field below the King's portrait: as the angle changes, the Tudor Crown turns into the Tudor Rose. The effect comes from the die relief, not from printing, so it does not wear off.

Is the 2027 Double Sovereign VAT-exempt and CGT-free?

Within the EU its sale is VAT-exempt as gold bullion under Article 344 of Directive 2006/112/EC. The Capital Gains Tax exemption applies only to UK tax residents.

Since when has the Double Sovereign been struck?

The first pieces, patterns, were made in 1820. It circulated only in 1823, 1887, 1893 and 1902; since 1980 the Royal Mint has sold it to collectors and struck it in most years.