Queen Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign Information

All Elizabeth II sovereigns from 1957 to 1968 share the same obverse design by Mary Gillick, the young first portrait of the queen, which was used from 1953 to 1967. The reverse is the familiar St. George & Dragon design originally engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci in 1817. In the years 1979 to 1982 the proof coins are housed in a plastic screw capsule within a plastic wallet. From 1983 until 1999 only proof coins were issued, although still in a plastic capsule, this is now housed within a de-luxe leatherette case.  For many dates from 1980 to present, there are 3-coin and 4-coin gold sets issued and even a 5-coin set from 2009! Usually these contain a sovereign and half sovereign, together with double sovereign (£2 piece), a five-pound piece, or both. These sovereigns are very popular gifts for birthdays and anniversaries as well as being collectable! For those interested in collecting without budget for a “full” sovereign you can collect the half sovereign or quarter sovereign which has been issued since 2009. With the half and quarter sovereign do expect to pay a slightly higher premium than that of a “full” sovereign. 

1957 Elizabeth II Sovereign - Obverse

It should be noted that not every date exists for gold sovereigns. In fact, gold sovereigns were not issued for circulation after 1932, although the Royal Mint resumed production in 1957 partly to meet world demand for gold bullion coins. The only dates minted between 1932 and decimalisation were 1957 to 1959, and then 1962 to 1968. These dates all bear the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as used on almost all pre-decimal coins, with the familiar St. George & Dragon design on the reverse. Of these dates 1957 and 1959 are the two most difficult to find and as a result are the most collectable.