1/2 Sovereign - Elizabeth II Saint George and the Dragon

Gibraltar has issued gold coinage under royal warrant since 1975, with its sovereign-series pieces struck to the same specifications as Royal Mint issues but carrying distinct local authority. The Saint George reverse used here traces directly to Benedetto Pistrucci's design, first cut for the British sovereign in 1817 and never retired despite two centuries of political and monetary upheaval.

Pistrucci, an Italian cameo carver, was reportedly denied the credit engraver's position at the Royal Mint because he was foreign-born — yet his design outlasted every British-born alternative ever proposed to replace it.