£
Currency

Queen Elizabeth II Gold Sovereign Information

Author: Lawrence Chard - Chairman and CEO

Published: 12 Feb 2018

Last Updated: 24 Dec 2022

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. 

1957sov

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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