First Official Great Seals in 1,100-Year Royal Mint History

For over 1,000 years, the British Monarchs have ordered the Royal Mint to produce Great Seals for royal use only. These stately symbols of British history and royal power have not been available to commoners. In the past, producing counterfeit Great Seals was punishable by death.

Great Seals are used to make wax impressions on legal documents, royal decrees and other instruments of the state. They consist of two intricately designed silver molds fused together. Each Seal’s unique and carefully crafted design celebrates the current Monarch while embodying symbolism key to that era.

Only one Great Seal can exist at one time. As wear becomes apparent, the Seal is ceremonially defaced, presented to the current Lord Chancellor and a new Great Seal is created. For that reason, each Twentieth Century British Monarch has been granted at least two official Great Seals.

Recently, British royalty handed down a decree that changes everything. This world first authorizes the Royal Mint to strike a limited edition Great Seal Collection for worldwide distribution. An historic 1,000 sets were struck, of which 750 were allocated to the U.K. GovMint.com has secured the remaining 250 U.S.-allocated sets. This may be your only chance to own a piece of British Royal history.

6-Piece Great Seal Silver Collection Exudes Majesty and History

This majestic collection includes the following six 5 oz. .999 Fine Silver, Satin Frosted Great Seals commemorating British monarchies from 1899-2001:

• Queen Victoria (1899-1904) The obverse features the queen in embroidered robe flanked by Saints George and Michael. The reverse shows an equestrian portrait and shield of arms encircled with mottos translated as, “Evil to him who evil thinks” and the royal motto, “God and My Right”.
• King Edward VII (1904-1912) The obverse features the King seated on his thrown. To his right, Commerce next to a globe and carrying a full-rigged ship. To his left, Justice gripping a sword and balance. On the reverse, dependencies form the border around scrolls bearing colony names.
• King George V (1912-1930) This poorly received Seal preceded WWI. The war’s outbreak thwarted new drawings and plans for a new seal. The obverse puts a Gothic throne front and center. Justice and Fortitude flank the sides, while Saints George and Michael preside above. The reverse shows the King standing tall on the Battleship Dreadnought.
• King George V (1930-1938) The obverse features the King seated, holding both cross and dove scepters. The double band lettering on the inscription begins at the base, rather than the usual top. The equestrian-themed reverse depicts the King with trident atop a horse. The wave pattern below represents the nation’s island status and great maritime history.
• King George VI (First Seal 1938-1948, Second Seal 1948-1953) The obverse features the enthroned King, crowned, robed, and with drawn sword and scepter. The reverse shows an equestrian portrait of the King in a Field Marshal uniform.
• Queen Elizabeth II (1953-2001) Unlike other Seals, the obverse is equestrian themed rather than the standard royal portrait to make room for the royal inscription. It features the Queen in Colonial-in-Chief Uniform, Grenadier Guards atop a horse. Below her lies the Royal Cipher. The inscription reflects changes in royal style and titles seen at the beginning of the Queen’s reign. The reverse shows the Queen on the thrown, which displays the Order of the Garter motto.

Although each intricately engraved Seal distinctly embodies each Monarchy’s historically rich symbolism, each edge is consistent. It contains three compulsory marks, the Date Letter and the Royal Mint’s Tower Mark. More specifically, it displays:

• DB initials of David Barrass, current Royal Mint Deputy Master
• .999 classifying it as Fine Silver
• The Leopard’s Head a mark of the London Assay Office
• A lower case Date Letter marking the manufacture year
• The Royal Mint’s own Tower Mark alluding to its long association with the Tower of London

This Great Seals collection comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity that guarantees the Set’s limited 1,000 mintage and finished weight, five ounces of pure Silver, a story card, and an illustrated booklet detailing the Great Seal’s colorful history. It’s nicely presented in a wooden case featuring the collection title etched in brass with room for the owner’s name.