1 Kilo St George and the Dragon Silver Coin

A Kilo of Silver Steeped in 500 Years of English Numismatic History

The 1 Kilo St George and the Dragon silver coin from The Royal Mint is the largest denomination in a series that traces its artistic lineage to 1526, when the St George motif first appeared on the George Noble under Henry VIII. At 100mm in diameter and containing one kilogram of 999 fine silver, this coin occupies a distinct position in the UK bullion market as a high-value silver piece with legal tender status and annual design rotation.

Each year brings a fresh artistic interpretation of the St George legend from a different designer, distinguishing this series from the 1oz Silver Britannia which maintains a consistent Philip Nathan design. The 2024 debut featured Jody Clark's contemporary rendering, and the 2026 issue by Sandra Deiana carries an inscription drawn from the original George Noble, marking the 500th anniversary of St George on English coinage.

For UK investors, the coin carries full CGT exemption as Royal Mint legal tender. The £500 face value is nominal, but the legal tender status provides the same Capital Gains Tax benefit enjoyed by the Britannia and Sovereign. At the kilo weight, this is a concentrated store of silver value for those building positions without the bulk of purchasing a thousand individual ounces.

1 Kilo St George and the Dragon Technical Details

The coin incorporates micro-text border elements and micro-detail background features visible under magnification, consistent with The Royal Mint's approach to bullion-grade security. The 100mm diameter makes it one of the largest coins in current Royal Mint production, comparable in physical presence to the 1 Kilo Silver Britannia.

The obverse carries the Martin Jennings portrait of King Charles III, consistent across all current Royal Mint bullion issues. The reverse design changes annually, with each interpretation exploring a different artistic angle on the St George and the Dragon legend.

Tax Position for UK and International Buyers

The 1 Kilo St George and the Dragon benefits from UK legal tender status, which carries two significant tax implications for UK residents.

Capital Gains Tax: As UK legal tender from The Royal Mint, this coin is fully CGT-exempt. Profits on disposal are not subject to Capital Gains Tax regardless of the gain size. This is the same exemption that applies to Sovereigns and Britannias, and it applies at all weights including this kilo denomination.

VAT: Silver bullion in the UK carries 20% VAT at point of purchase. This applies to the St George kilo coin despite its legal tender status. Only gold qualifies for VAT exemption in the UK. The margin scheme (VAT on dealer's margin only) applies to pre-owned silver, which can reduce effective VAT to near zero on secondary market purchases.

• UK: 20% VAT on purchase. CGT-exempt on sale (legal tender). SIPP-eligible as gold equivalent is not applicable to silver.
• US: State sales tax varies. Capital gains taxed at up to 28% (collectibles rate). Not eligible for IRA as a foreign-issued silver coin under standard custodian rules.
• EU: VAT at local rates (17-27% depending on member state). No CGT exemption. German margin scheme may apply to pre-owned units.
• Australia: GST-free at 999 purity (meets the 99.9% threshold for investment-grade silver). Capital gains apply on disposal with 50% discount if held over 12 months.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt at 999 purity (meets the 99.9% threshold). Capital gains at 50% inclusion rate.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme (meets 99.9% purity requirement for silver).
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

From the George Noble to the Modern Bullion Series

The St George and the Dragon motif has a longer continuous history on English coinage than almost any other design. It first appeared in 1526 on the George Noble, a gold coin issued under Henry VIII. The depiction of England's patron saint slaying the dragon became embedded in the national numismatic identity across five centuries of coinage.

The most celebrated interpretation came in 1817, when Italian gem engraver Benedetto Pistrucci created his St George and the Dragon design for the gold Sovereign. Pistrucci's version depicted the scene with classical nude figures rather than medieval armour, a controversial choice that nonetheless produced what many numismatists regard as the finest coin engraving in British history. His design remains in use on the Sovereign to this day, over 200 years later.

The modern bullion series launched in 2024 as a distinct programme from the Sovereign. Rather than replicating Pistrucci's work, the series commissions a new artistic interpretation each year from a different designer. The 2024 debut by Jody Clark (who also designed the fifth and final portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for UK coinage) set a contemporary tone. The 2026 issue by Sandra Deiana coincides with the 500th anniversary of St George appearing on English coinage, carrying an inscription drawn from the original 1526 George Noble to bridge five centuries of numismatic tradition.

The 1 Kilo denomination was available from the series launch, offering a high-value format alongside the standard 1oz silver version. The kilo format positions the coin as both an investment piece and a display item, with its 100mm diameter providing a canvas large enough for the design detail to be fully appreciated.