Queen Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign Information
Synopsis
Learn more about QEII sovereigns, click through to read more.
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.
Full Index of Products
You can find all of our QEII sovereigns by clicking here and browsing the online catalogue.
Date and Mintage Table
Date | Mintage | Grade |
1957 | 2,072,000 | Unc |
1958 | 8,700,000 | Unc |
1959 | 1,358,000 | Unc |
1962 | 3,000,000 | Unc |
1963 | 7,400,000 | Unc |
1964 | 3,000,000 | Unc |
1965 | 3,800,000 | Unc |
1966 | 7,050,000 | Unc |
1967 | 5,000,000 | Unc |
1968 | 4,203,000 | Unc |
1974 | 5,002,566 | Unc |
1976 | 4,150,000 | Unc |
1978 | 6,550,000 | Unc |
1979 | 9,100,000 | Unc |
1979 | 50,000 | Proof FDC |
1980 | 5,000,000 | Unc |
1980 | 81,200 | Proof FDC |
1981 | 5,100,000 | Unc |
1981 | 32,960 | Proof FDC |
1982 | 2,950,000 | Unc |
1982 | 19,090 | Proof FDC |
1983 | 19,710 | Proof FDC |
1983* | 19,710 | Proof FDC |
1984 | 12,410 | Proof FDC |
1984* | 12,410 | Proof FDC |
1985 | 11,393 | Proof FDC |
1986 | 5,079 | Proof FDC |
1986* | 5,079 | Proof FDC |
1987 | 9,979 | Proof FDC |
1987 | 9,979 | Proof FDC |
1988 | 7,670 | Proof FDC |
1989 | 10,535 | Proof FDC |
1990 | 4,767 | Proof FDC |
1991 | 4,713 | Proof FDC |
1992 | 4,772 | Proof FDC |
1993 | 4,349 | Proof FDC |
1994 | 4,998 | Proof FDC |
1995 | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
1996 | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
1997 | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
1997 | 7,500 | Proof FDC, Capsule Only |
1998 | 10,000 | Proof FDC |
1999 | 10,000 | Proof FDC |
2000 | 250,000 | Unc |
2000 | 10,000 | Proof FDC |
2000* | 10,000 | Proof FDC |
2001 | 100,000 | Unc |
2001 | 12,500 | Proof FDC |
2001 | 100,000 | With Stamp Ingot |
2002 | 100,000 | Unc |
2002 | 12,500 | Proof FDC |
2003 | 100,000 | Unc |
2003 | 100,000 | With Stamp Ingot |
2003 | 15,000 | Proof FDC |
2004 | 100,000 | Unc |
2004 | 15,000 | Proof FDC |
2005 | 75,000 | Unc |
2005 | 12,500 | Proof FDC |
2006 | 75,000 | Unc |
2006 | 9,195 | Proof FDC |
2007 | 75,000 | Unc |
2007 | 8,199 | Proof FDC |
2008 | 75,000 | Unc |
2008 | 12,500 | Proof FDC |
2009 | 75,000 | Unc |
2009 | 16,000 | Proof FDC |
2010 | 250,000 | Unc |
2010 | 16,000 | Proof FDC |
2011 | 75,000 | Unc |
2011 | 15,000 | Proof FDC |
2012 | 750,000 | Unc |
2012 | 5,500 | Proof FDC |
2013 | TBC | Unc |
2013 | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
2014 | TBC | Unc |
2014 | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
2015 - Fourth Portrait | TBC | Unc |
2015 - Fourth Portrait | 9,800 | Proof FDC |
2015 - Fifth Portrait | 8,800 | Proof FDC |
2016 - Fifth Portrait | TBC | Unc |
2016 - 90th Birthday Portrait | 7,500 | Proof FDC |
2017 | TBC | Unc |
2017 - 200th Anniversary Design | 10,500 | Proof FDC |
Type Coin Set
If you are not looking for a particular date, but want a nice example of this type of sovereign, you can order a "type coin". Just look at our list of dates, grades and prices. Select the price you wish to pay, and we will send you the best grade coin we have available for that price, with our choice of date.
Guarantee
All our coins are guaranteed genuine, and we try to grade reasonably conservatively. For customers ordering by post, we want you to be delighted when you receive your coin. We thrive on repeat business and recommendation.
Proof - FDC
Proof coins are specimens specially produced for sale to collectors. They are struck to very high standards, from specially prepared sandblasted and polished dies, and polished blanks. FDC stands for "Fleur-De-Coin", and means "absolutely perfect".
Presentation
All the above proof coins are in special presentation. In the years 1979 to 1982 they are housed in a plastic screw capsule within a plastic wallet. From 1983, although still in a plastic capsule, this is now housed within a de-luxe leatherette case. The plastic capsules are simple but excellent. They allow the coins to be displayed safe from fingerprints and dust, but they can be unscrewed easily so that the coin may be handled and viewed.
Sovereign Sets
For many dates from 1980 to date, there are also 3 coin and 4 coin gold sets issued. Usually these contain a sovereign and half sovereign, together with double sovereign (£2 piece), a five pound piece, or both. We often have these available. You can find all sovereign sets by clicking here
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