British Gold Coin Proof Sets
1996 Gold Sovereign Proof Set
When the Royal Mint started regularly to produce gold coins sets in 1980, they set an issue limit of 10,000 sets, and managed to sell every set. Since then the annual mintage figures have generally declined. 1996 saw the low mintage figure of only 742 sets issued. Millennium year 2000 for example saw the issue limit of 1,250 sets sell out quite quickly. The 1996 gold proof set features the third portrait of the Queen, as used from 1985 to 1997 inclusive on most British coins. The issue quantity was less than a seventh of the 1985 issue. The issue limit placed on the 1996 set was 1,250 and only 742 were issued. There were 5,849 of the 1985 sets issued.Type Collecting
In 1996, a special commemorative gold £2 was issued, but, unlike 1986, 1994 and 1995, this was not included in the four coin gold proof set, which reverted to using the traditional St. George and Dragon reverse design.The Four Coins
The four gold coins we refer to are, of course, the gold sovereign and half sovereign, along with the two pound coin, often called a double sovereign, and a five pound gold coin.New Presentation
In 1990, the four coin gold proof set packaging was re-designed, and changed to a red leather box, and for the first time, a gold-plated medallion was including, with a crowned "Elizabeth R" above the date. The medallion included in the 1996 sets has a rat on the reverse to mark the Chinese lunar year of the rat.Coin Set Specifications
| Denomination | Diameter | Weight | AGW * | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Five Pounds
|
36.02 | 39.94 | 1.1771 | St George & Dragon |
|
Two Pounds
|
28.40 | 15.98 | 0.4708 | St George & Dragon |
|
Sovereign (Pound)
|
22.05 | 7.99 | 0.2354 | St George & Dragon |
|
Half Sovereign (Fifty Pence)
|
19.30 | 3.99 | 0.1177 | St George & Dragon |
|
Total
|
67.90 | 2.0011 | ||
|
Gold Plated Medallion
|
25 x 22 | 1996 - Rat |
Notes on Table
Weight = gross weight in grams.*AGW = Actual intrinsic gold weight in troy ounces.
Prices & Availability
Quantity
Rate
Buy
Call to check availability
More Information
More information about British gold sets is available on our British Gold Sets Information page.You may wish to use our order form .
Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order, plus £1 per £1,000EU Insured Post £10 per order, plus £1 per £1,000
USA Airmail $10,
Insured Shipping $20, plus $1 per $1,000
Canada Airmail $15,
Insured Shipping via Fedex $60, plus $1 per $1,000
Obverse of 1996 Gold Proof Sovereign
British Gold Sets InformationBritish 4 Coin Gold Sets For Sale
Reverse of 1996 Gold Proof Sovereign
1996 Gold Proof Set in Presentation Box
"Tax Free Gold" website is owned and operated by Chard (1964) Limited
32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081; Fax 408058;
E-mail: Contact Us The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk
32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081; Fax 408058;
E-mail: Contact Us The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk