2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin
£253.96
The 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin is struck by The Royal Mint in 22-carat gold and forms part of the 2026 Sovereign bullion range, which marks a return to traditional yellow gold.
Containing approximately 1.83g of fine gold, the 2026 Quarter Sovereign features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George and the Dragon design alongside new security features introduced to the 2026 bullion Sovereign range.
Official UK legal tender, the Quarter Sovereign provides a smaller fractional format within one of Britain’s most established gold coin families.
Description
2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin
The 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin is the smallest denomination in The Royal Mint’s 2026 Sovereign bullion range, combining the historic Sovereign design with approximately 0.059 troy ounces of fine gold in a compact fractional format.
For 2026, The Sovereign bullion range underwent an important change. Following the end of the recent rose-gold era in 2025, traditional yellow gold returned to the bullion Sovereign range for 2026.
Struck in 22-carat / 916.7 fine gold, the 2026 Quarter-Sovereign features Benedetto Pistrucci’s celebrated St George and the Dragon reverse and Martin Jennings’ official coinage portrait of King Charles III on the obverse.
The 2026 bullion Sovereign range also introduces advanced visual security features, giving this release characteristics not found on earlier Quarter-Sovereign bullion issues.
Why the 2026 Quarter Sovereign Stands Out
- 2026 return to traditional yellow gold
- Official Royal Mint Sovereign bullion coin
- 22-carat / 916.7 fine gold
- Approximately 0.059 troy ounces of fine gold
- 2.00g total weight
- Compact 13.50mm diameter
- Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon reverse
- King Charles III portrait by Martin Jennings
- New security features introduced across the 2026 bullion Sovereign range
- Part of one of Britain’s best-known gold coin families
- UK legal tender
- Qualifying investment gold is exempt from VAT in the UK
- Qualifying sterling currency is exempt from Capital Gains Tax under current UK rules
The Quarter-Sovereign provides the established Sovereign design and 22-carat specification in the smallest denomination of the modern Sovereign bullion family.
The Return to Traditional Yellow Gold in 2026
One of the most significant characteristics of the 2026 Sovereign bullion range is its return to a traditional yellow-gold appearance.
The 2025 bullion Sovereign marked the final year of the recent rose-gold appearance. For 2026, The Royal Mint returned the bullion range to yellow gold.
The coin remains struck to the Sovereign’s established:
22-carat / 916.7 fineness specification
The change relates to the composition of the alloying metals and the resulting colour rather than an increase in the proportion of gold.
This means the 2026 Quarter-Sovereign combines the traditional 22-carat Sovereign specification with a visual appearance deliberately returned to the historic yellow-gold character of the series.
Further information about the 2026 release can be found directly through The Royal Mint.
The Quarter-Sovereign
Although the history of The Sovereign extends much further back, the modern Quarter-Sovereign denomination was introduced in 2009.
It provides a smaller alternative to the Half-Sovereign and Full Sovereign while retaining the familiar design language and traditional 22-carat specification associated with the Sovereign family.
At approximately 2.00g total weight and just 13.50mm in diameter, the Quarter-Sovereign is a particularly compact British gold coin.
Its smaller fine-gold content also means its total purchase price will generally be lower than the larger denominations within the same bullion range at a given point in the gold market.
Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon
The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon, one of the most recognisable designs in British coinage.
Pistrucci’s design became closely associated with the modern Sovereign following its introduction during the nineteenth century and continues to define the visual identity of many modern Sovereign issues.
The design depicts St George on horseback confronting the dragon, with the composition adapted across different denominations within the Sovereign family.
The 2026 Quarter-Sovereign brings this historic design into one of the smallest modern Sovereign formats.
King Charles III Obverse
The obverse carries the official coinage portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by British sculptor Martin Jennings.
The combination of Jennings’ contemporary royal portrait and Pistrucci’s historic reverse brings together the current Charles III era of British coinage with one of the best-known designs from Sovereign history.
New Security Features for the 2026 Sovereign
The Royal Mint introduced new visual security features across the 2026 bullion Sovereign range.
These include:
- Micro-text incorporated into the reverse design
- A latent image on the obverse
- A new half-tone security pattern
The reverse micro-text forms the inscription HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, the motto of the Order of the Garter.
The latent image beneath the King Charles III portrait changes according to the viewing angle, displaying elements including the Tudor Crown, royal cypher and Tudor Rose.
These features were introduced to make the 2026 bullion Sovereign range easier to authenticate visually and more difficult to reproduce convincingly.
You can read more about these features through The Royal Mint’s guide to the 2026 Sovereign security features.
22-Carat Gold and Fine Gold Content
The 2026 Quarter-Sovereign is struck in:
916.7 fine / 22-carat gold
Its total weight is approximately:
2.00 grams
and The Royal Mint specifies a pure-metal content of:
0.059 troy ounces of fine gold
equivalent to approximately:
1.83 grams of fine gold
The difference between total weight and fine-gold weight arises because a Sovereign is not struck in pure 24-carat gold. The remaining portion consists of alloying metal used to create the traditional 22-carat specification.
This does not make a Sovereign inferior to a 24-carat gold coin. It simply means the coins are produced to different specifications.
Our Britannia vs Sovereign guide explains the differences between the two major British gold coin families in more detail.
2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin Specifications
| Coin | Quarter-Sovereign |
| Year | 2026 |
| Issuer | The Royal Mint |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Metal | Gold |
| Fineness | 916.7 |
| Carat | 22 Carat |
| Gold Colour | Yellow Gold |
| Total Weight | Approximately 2.00g |
| Fine Gold Content | Approximately 0.059 Troy Oz / 1.83g |
| Diameter | 13.50mm |
| Quality | Bullion |
| Reverse | St George and the Dragon |
| Reverse Designer | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Obverse | King Charles III |
| Obverse Designer | Martin Jennings |
| UK Legal Tender | Yes |
Quarter-Sovereign vs Larger Sovereign Coins
The Quarter-Sovereign sits at the smaller end of the modern Sovereign family.
Its principal difference from the Half-Sovereign and Full Sovereign is the quantity of gold contained within each coin.
All else being equal, a smaller gold content means a lower total purchase price than the larger denominations at the same point in the gold market.
It also allows a physical gold holding to be divided across smaller individual units.
However, smaller fractional gold coins can carry a higher percentage premium over their underlying gold value than larger denominations, so buyers should consider both the total purchase price and the premium relative to the gold content.
UK VAT and Capital Gains Tax
VAT
Qualifying investment gold is exempt from VAT in the UK.
The VAT exemption arises from the UK investment-gold rules rather than simply because the product is made from gold.
Capital Gains Tax
Sovereigns minted in 1837 and later years are treated by HMRC as sterling currency.
Sterling currency is not a chargeable asset for Capital Gains Tax purposes under current UK rules.
This provides a tax distinction between qualifying Sovereign coins and physical gold products such as ordinary gold bars.
For more information about the differences between physical gold formats, see our Gold Coins vs Gold Bars guide.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and legislation can change. This information is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute financial, investment or tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin?
The 2026 Quarter-Sovereign is the smallest denomination in The Royal Mint’s 2026 Sovereign bullion range. It is struck in 22-carat yellow gold and contains approximately 0.059 troy ounces of fine gold.
How much does the 2026 Quarter Sovereign weigh?
The coin has a total weight of approximately 2.00 grams.
How much pure gold is in a Quarter Sovereign?
The Royal Mint specifies approximately 0.059 troy ounces of fine gold, equivalent to around 1.83 grams.
Is the 2026 Quarter Sovereign 24-carat gold?
No. The 2026 Quarter-Sovereign is struck in 22-carat gold, equivalent to approximately 916.7 fineness.
Why is the 2026 Sovereign yellow gold?
The Royal Mint returned the bullion Sovereign range to a traditional yellow-gold appearance for 2026 following the end of the recent rose-gold era in 2025.
Does the 2026 Quarter Sovereign have security features?
Yes. The 2026 bullion Sovereign range incorporates new security features including micro-text, a latent image and a half-tone security pattern.
Who designed the 2026 Quarter Sovereign?
The reverse uses Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon design. The King Charles III obverse portrait was designed by Martin Jennings.
When was the Quarter Sovereign introduced?
The modern Quarter-Sovereign denomination was introduced in 2009.
Is the 2026 Quarter Sovereign VAT exempt?
Qualifying investment gold is exempt from VAT in the UK.
Is the 2026 Quarter Sovereign exempt from Capital Gains Tax?
HMRC treats qualifying Sovereigns as sterling currency. Sterling currency is not a chargeable asset for Capital Gains Tax purposes under current UK rules.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and legislation can change.
Why Buy the 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin?
The 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin combines several characteristics specific to this year’s Sovereign bullion release:
- Return to traditional yellow gold
- 22-carat / 916.7 fine gold
- Approximately 0.059 troy ounces of fine gold
- Compact Quarter-Sovereign denomination
- Benedetto Pistrucci’s historic St George and the Dragon design
- King Charles III portrait by Martin Jennings
- New 2026 Sovereign security features
- Official Royal Mint UK legal-tender coin
For buyers looking for a smaller physical gold coin, the Quarter-Sovereign provides the established Sovereign specification and design in a compact fractional format.
Ready to purchase the 2026 Quarter Sovereign Gold Coin?
View the current price and return directly to the purchase section to add the coin to your basket.
Gold prices can change throughout the trading day and availability is subject to stock levels.
Continue Your Research
Before purchasing physical gold, you may also find the following Sterling Bullion Partners guides useful:
Visit the Sterling Bullion Partners Knowledge Centre for more guides covering physical gold, Sovereigns and modern British coinage.
Additional information
| Weight | 0.0588 oz |
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