![Edward VII, Matt-Proof Sovereign, 1902 [ECM-244d] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ECM-244d-1.jpg)
Description
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Edward VII of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, King of the United Kingdom 1901-1910 AD, Gold Matte-Proof Sovereign (8.00g, 22mm), 1902, Royal mint, London. Obverse: Bare head of Edward VII facing right, engraver’s initials ‘DeS.’ (George William De Saulles) below, legend surrounds, “EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:”. Reverse: St. George and the Dragon, interpreted by Benedetto Pistrucci: George of Lydda, bare except for his plumed helmet and billowing cloak, rears his horse above the defeated Dragon of Silene, ready to finish it with his sword – his lance, Ascalon, remains half embedded in its torso and the shaft rests to the left on the ground-line; engraver’s initials “B.P.” (Benedetto Pistrucci) and date in exergue. Marsh-174a. Calendar year mintage of 15,123. A charming Matt-Proof Coronation Year Sovereign of Edward VII, essential for any extensive sovereign collection, Fleur de Coin.
The obverse Latin legend is the royal titulature of King Edward VII, reading unabridged as “Edwardus septimus, Deī grātiā, Britanniārum Omnium Rēx, Fideī Dēfēnsor, Indiae Imperātor”, with an English translation of “Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, King of all the British People, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”.
