The Royal Mint Remasters Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon

• The Royal Mint has launched the next coin in its Great Engravers Collection an homage to Benedetto Pistrucci
• Combining modern minting techniques with traditional engraving methods, The Royal Mint’s craftspeople have faithfully remastered the St George and the dragon design first created over 200 years ago.
• The Great Engravers collection celebrates some of the finest artists and engravers to have worked on British coinage.

15 February: 

The Royal Mint has today (Thursday 15^th February) unveiled the next coin in its Great Engravers Collection, paying tribute to Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the dragon.

A skilled gem engraver, Pistrucci created a series of masterpieces, including the iconic St George and the dragon design for the Sovereigns of 1817, which was subsequently adapted for the 1818 crown.

The Royal Mint’s expert craftspeople have brought this historic design into the 21^st Century using modern and traditional technologies. Following the digital remastering process, high-precision milling machines were used to cut the coining dies, which were then hand finished before hardening and the frosted elements added using lasers. The raised edge inscription was created using laser technology on the smaller coins, with each edge on larger coins individually cut and hand finished. Inspired by the original Latin edge inscription on the 1818 Crown which relates to the 58th year of George III’s reign, the new collector’s piece now references the reign of His Majesty King Charles III.

The Great Engravers Collection celebrates some of the finest artists and engravers to have worked ton British coinage. Previous launched for the collection have celebrated iconic designs by former Royal Mint Chief Engravers Thomas Simon and William Wyon.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint said, “Our Great Engravers Collection offers remastered original coin designs for collectors across the world to own and admire for years to come. More than 200 years after it was first struck, we are thrilled to be unveiling the remastered 1818 St George and the Dragon crown design, which demonstrates The Royal Mint’s world-renowned craftmanship”.

Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint, “Crafted in 1818 by Benedetto Pistrucci, this masterpiece is renowned as one of the most beautiful coins in history. Through a meticulous blend of traditional engraving techniques and modern minting technology, we've faithfully remastered this iconic design, ensuring that it captures the essence of its original beauty. Collectors have the extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of numismatic history that embodies the finest traditions of British craftsmanship and artistry.”

The coin is available in a range of editions. For more information on the collection, visit https://www.royalmint.com/great-engravers/george-and-the-dragon/