How to strike gold...buy the Mint’s new Sovereign coins

GOLD coin investors can now buy the latest in range from The Royal Mint, which has launched the Sovereign and Half Sovereign 2019 Gold Bullion coins. Priced at about £259 and £136 respectively, or less if purchased in multiples, they can be bought direct from The Royal Mint and also stored by the organisation at a cost of 1 per cent plus VAT a year.

The launch marks the 200-year anniversary of a plan by economist David Ricardo to replace gold coins with 60oz gold ingots – but the coins endured nonetheless.

The Sovereign features artist and engraver Benedetto Pistrucci’s depiction of St George and the Dragon – an image that has survived more than 200 years. It is struck in 22-carat gold and the coins are free of VAT and Capital Gains Tax.

But they are not necessarily the most financially astute way for investors to buy gold.

Adrian Ash, of gold investment service BullionVault, says: ‘As an investment, beware the Sovereign’s wide gap between purchase prices and the amount you will get back if you sell.’

Anyone interested in purchasing the coins should visit royalmintbullion.com.