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Elizabeth II 2nd Portrait

Queen Elizabeth II 2nd Portrait (Decimal) gold sovereign coins were first issued in 1974 and were circulated until 1982. However, new bullion sovereigns were not minted in 1975 and 1977, leaving only seven years of actual production. The coins were also issued as collector proofs from 1979 to 1984.

Dually known as the decimal portrait, the queen’s image on the obverse side was designed by Arnold Machin. It is considered to be the most widely reproduced royalty portrait of all time because it initially appeared on British stamps in 1967, meaning that the stamps were manufactured and distributed by the billions.

The portrait shows a youthful, unsmiling Queen Elizabeth II seen facing sideways with the crown set low on her hair. The words “Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F:D:” form an arc that partially encloses the queen. The reverse side of the coin features the classic image of Saint George and the Dragon with the issue year underneath it.

Although only circulated for a limited period, these gold sovereigns are not especially rare. Their lowest output occurred in the last year of circulation, 1982, when less than three million bullions were minted, compared to over five million in every other year except 1976, which yielded just over four million. The proofs may be more difficult to come across at times, since fewer than 100,000 were issued in each production year.

Spotting Wear and Strike on Elizabeth II 2nd Portrait

Wear and strike on the coins usually occurs in the areas that are most commonly contacted, such as the pattern around the perimeter on both sides and the queen’s hair in the center of the obverse. Because of their relatively recent status, it is possible to purchase uncirculated sovereigns, which are in perfect condition except for marks that may have been left by the mint’s machinery.