Gold Sovereign Best Value Elizabeth II First Portrait Bullion Coin

The Gold Sovereign Best Value Bullion Coin featuring Queen Elizabeth II's First Portrait is an excellent choice for investors and collectors seeking low-premium gold sovereigns with the first UK definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty.

You will receive Elizabeth II first portrait sovereign gold coins from the years 1953 to 1968.

• Manufactured by The Royal Mint
• 22 carat gold / 0.9167 fineness
• Contains 0.2354 troy ounce of the precious metal
• Exempt from Capital Gains Tax & VAT
• Weight: 7.98g
• Diameter: 22.05mm

These coins are supplied loose. Protect your gold investment by using a 22.5mm coin capsule, presentation case or gift box to ensure that your coin remains in great condition.

See our range of best value gold sovereigns

Royal Mint Official Partner

Chards is an official partner of The Royal Mint. Our best value Sovereign gold coin range, among other Royal Mint products, are sourced directly from their mint headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales.

Legacy of Mary Gillick

Born in Nottingham in 1881, Mary Gillick, designer of Queen Elizabeth II first portrait, studied at the city’s High School for Girls from 1890 to 1898, progressing to the art school until 1902 and perfected her craft as a scholar under Lanteri at the Royal College of Art from 1902 to 1904. 

Competing against 16 other artists, the elegance of Gillick’s design earned the portrait a place on the reverse of all UK coinage from 1953 to 1967, with the approachable nature of the monarch’s depiction absent of a crown being hailed as innovative and fresh by The Royal Mint Advisory Committee.  

First Coinage Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

The engraving by the sculptor, Mary Gillick, captures the grace and youth of the 26 year old new queen. In keeping with tradition, Elizabeth II faces right, her hair is brushed off her face and is rolled at the back of her head. Her hair is restrained by a laureate crown which is tied with ribbons at the back of her head. The Queen's shoulders are bare and the truncation follows the curve of the coin. This first coin portrait was used on coinage from 1953 until decimalisation in 1970.

The obverse portrait was designed by Mary Gillick. It was used on Sovereigns from 1953 until 1968.

The reverse was designed by Benedetto Pistrucci. It first appeared on Sovereign in 1817.