Suweren Elżbieta II Gold Coin | 1957-2021

Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 — the longest reign of a British monarch (70 years) with 5 portraits

The Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 gold coin is a classic Royal Mint Full Sovereign with a gross mass of 7.98805 g, a gold mass of 7.32238 g, a fineness of 916.7/1000 (Crown Gold 22 carat), a 22.05 mm diameter and a 1 GBP face value as legal tender of the United Kingdom. Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years (1952-2022) — the longest in British monarchical history — and Sovereigns cover 5 official portraits: Mary Gillick (1957-1968), Arnold Machin (1968-1985), Raphael Maklouf (1985-1998), Ian Rank-Broadley (1998-2015) and Jody Clark (2015-2022). Within the Mix Years offer we deliver a random vintage from available stock. The coin is VAT-exempt in the EU as a legal-tender coin 916.7 struck after 1800, holds LBMA accreditation and CGT-free status for UK tax residents.

Technical specification

Why this Sovereign earns a place in your stack

• Longest reign of a British monarch (70 years 1952-2022): Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years — from 6 February 1952 (death of George VI) to 8 September 2022 (death at Balmoral) — the longest in British monarchical history. Sovereigns cover 65 years of this mintage (1957-2021), omitting the 1932-1957 break (Second World War and post-war period).
• 5 official Elizabeth II portraits: Mary Gillick (1957-1968) — first portrait of the 25-year-old queen, classic style. Arnold Machin (1968-1985) — popular portrait with crown, also retained on Commonwealth coins. Raphael Maklouf (1985-1998) — second portrait with crown. Ian Rank-Broadley (1998-2015) — more mature image of the queen. Jody Clark (2015-2022) — final portrait with crown and tiara.
• Most popular Sovereign in collector and bullion trade: Elizabeth II Sovereigns 1957-2021 are the most common British Sovereign version in European trade — the wide supply enables competitive premiums (5-9% over spot) compared to rarer Victoria or Edward VII Sovereigns (10-20% over spot).
• CGT-free for UK tax residents: all British Sovereigns hold Capital Gains Tax exempt status for UK tax residents — Elizabeth II Mix Years as 1 GBP legal tender qualifies fully for this tax preference, regardless of portrait and vintage.
• VAT-exempt in the EU as a legal-tender coin: fineness 916.7 above 900, strike after 1800 (1957+) and United Kingdom legal-tender status meet all VAT exemption criteria under Polish VAT Act Art. 122 and EU Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 344.

History of the 5 Elizabeth II portraits — from Mary Gillick (1953) to Jody Clark (2015)

Elizabeth II (1926-2022) ascended the throne on 6 February 1952 after the death of her father George VI at the age of 25, and the coronation took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey. The first official portrait of Elizabeth II was designed by Mary Gillick (1881-1965) — English sculptor — in 1953 as a young queen with a laurel crown in classical style. Sovereigns with the Gillick portrait were struck from 1957 (after a 25-year break 1932-1957) to 1968.

In 1968 Royal Mint introduced the second Elizabeth II portrait — by Arnold Machin (1911-1999), English sculptor known for numerous works for Royal Doulton. The Machin portrait depicted the queen at age 41 with the Tudor Crown and remained in use until 1985 — it was one of the most popular Elizabeth II portraits, and its variant also appeared on UK postage stamps from 1967 (Machin Definitives) and on Commonwealth coins.

In 1985 Royal Mint introduced the third portrait — by Raphael Maklouf (1937-), English sculptor of Palestinian origin. The Maklouf portrait depicted the queen at age 59 with a necklace and characteristic crown with veil. In use until 1998 — a shorter period than the Gillick and Machin portraits, but longer than the earlier Boehm Jubilee (1887-1893).

In 1998 the fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley (1952-) — English sculptor of the British Royal Mint — was introduced. The portrait depicts a more mature queen at age 72 (1998), without crown, in classical conception. It remained in use until 2015. The fifth and final portrait of Elizabeth II was designed by Jody Clark (1981-) — the youngest designer of a monarch portrait in Royal Mint history (33 years) — in 2015. Clark depicted the queen at age 89 with the Imperial State Crown and tiara, valid until her death on 8.09.2022.

Royal Mint holds LBMA Good Delivery accreditation since 1750 — the oldest active LBMA status among mints and refineries producing gold bullion. The mint operates from the Llantrisant site (Wales) since 1968, where during the reign of Elizabeth II (1968-2022) it struck millions of Sovereigns for the bullion and collector market.

Obverse — 5 Elizabeth II portraits 1957-2022 (random vintage)

The obverse of the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 contains one of the 5 official queen portraits, depending on the vintage delivered from stock. Mary Gillick (1957-1968) — 25-year-old queen with laurel crown. Arnold Machin (1968-1985) — 41-year-old queen with Tudor Crown. Raphael Maklouf (1985-1998) — 59-year-old queen with necklace. Ian Rank-Broadley (1998-2015) — 72-year-old queen without crown. Jody Clark (2015-2022) — 89-year-old queen with Imperial State Crown.

Around the portrait are the Latin inscriptions ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA (Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen). From 1953 the title of Empress of India (IND IMP) was removed from coins (after Indian independence in 1947) — Elizabeth II Sovereigns no longer contain this inscription. Around the portrait is also the inscription FID DEF (Defender of the Faith) as a title valid since the times of Henry VIII.

Each of the 5 portraits was designed to reflect the actual age and position of the queen in the given period — which makes Elizabeth II Mix Years Sovereigns a natural chronological record of 65 years of the queen's reign. For collectors of Elizabeth II portraits, the set of 5 variants (Gillick, Machin, Maklouf, Rank-Broadley, Clark) represents a small but historically complete set covering 1957-2022.

Reverse — St. George slaying the dragon (Pistrucci 1817) — most vintages

The reverse of the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 in most vintages shows the classic motif of St. George slaying the dragon in the 1817 Benedetto Pistrucci design — the saint nude on horseback in classical sculpture style, lance raised to deliver the fatal strike. Royal Mint continued exclusive use of the Pistrucci reverse for Elizabeth II Sovereigns, maintaining design continuity from 1817.

Selected Elizabeth II Sovereign collector vintages contain special commemorative reverses — e.g., Sovereign 2002 marking the Golden Jubilee (50-year reign) with royal arms instead of Pistrucci, Sovereign 2012 marking the Diamond Jubilee (60-year) with knight motif, Sovereign 2017 marking 200 years of Pistrucci with refreshed St. George design. Within the Mix Years offer we may deliver a vintage with classic Pistrucci or special anniversary reverse, depending on stock availability.

Benedetto Pistrucci (1783-1855) — chief engraver of the Royal Mint from 1828 to 1855 — also designed the famous Waterloo Medal commemorating the victory over Napoleon. The 1817 St. George motif remains to this day the Sovereign reverse across all vintages from Victoria Young Head to Charles III 2026 — over 200 years of design continuity, one of the longest-running in the history of bullion coins worldwide.

What to check when buying Mix Years

Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 is an offer with different vintages — within the order we deliver a random specimen from available stock, meaning that the monarch's portrait (Gillick, Machin, Maklouf, Rank-Broadley or Clark) may differ between delivered coins. The technical specification (mass, fineness, diameter) is identical for all vintages 1957-2021. Mix Years is a practical choice for portfolios focused on the bullion function.

Inspect the preservation condition of the delivered specimen — Crown Gold 22 carat (916.7) is harder than .9999 and less prone to scratching. Most Elizabeth II Sovereigns 1957-2021 are delivered in UNC (Uncirculated) conditions or very close to UNC, due to the fact that they no longer served a circulating function and were produced mainly for the bullion market.

The premium on Elizabeth II Mix Years Sovereigns is typically 5-9% in the European retail segment — the lowest among historical Royal Mint Sovereigns due to the high supply of the 65-year mintage. For portfolios optimising per-gram gold cost (CGT-free in UK), Mix Years is the most practical choice; for collectors of specific portraits it is worth considering ordering a specific vintage or portrait.

CGT-free status applies to all British Sovereigns — Elizabeth II Mix Years as legal tender of the United Kingdom (1 GBP face value) qualifies for the CGT exemption for UK tax residents, regardless of vintage and portrait. This status distinguishes Sovereigns from neutral bullion coins (Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Lunar), which are not CGT-free in the UK despite LBMA accreditation.

Why GoldInvest24

• Manufacturers with LBMA accreditation: in the catalogue you will find coins and bars from mints accredited by the London Bullion Market Association — Royal Mint holds LBMA Good Delivery status since 1750, the oldest active status.
• Full Sovereigns size range: Half Sovereign, Full Sovereign, Double Sovereign and Quintuple Sovereign in one shop — allowing the build of a portfolio diversified by unit value.
• Language versions PL / DE / EN: full technical descriptions and specifications in three languages for convenient handling of the Polish, German and international markets.
• Current precious-metals quotes: spot data for comparing offer prices with current market valuation — check current metals prices before purchase.
• Full metals categories in one shop: access to gold bullion coins, bars, silver, platinum and palladium — all from one customer account.

Comparison of 5 Sovereign types — from Victoria to Charles III

See the full category of gold bullion coins available at GoldInvest24.

FAQ — common questions about the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021

What is the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021?

The Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years 1957-2021 is a classic Royal Mint Full Sovereign with 7.32238 g of gold, fineness 916.7 (Crown Gold 22 carat), 22.05 mm diameter and 1 GBP face value. Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years (1952-2022) — the longest in British monarchical history. Sovereigns cover 5 official portraits: Mary Gillick (1957-1968), Arnold Machin (1968-1985), Raphael Maklouf (1985-1998), Ian Rank-Broadley (1998-2015), Jody Clark (2015-2022). Within Mix Years we deliver a random vintage from available stock.

What is the technical specification of the Sovereign Elizabeth II?

Gross mass 7.98805 g, gold mass 7.32238 g, fineness 916.7/1000 (Crown Gold 22 carat, alloy Au 91.67% + Cu 8.33%), diameter 22.05 mm, thickness approx. 1.52 mm, face value 1 GBP. Obverse: one of the 5 official Elizabeth II portraits 1953-2015 (depending on vintage). Reverse: St. George slaying the dragon (Pistrucci 1817) in most vintages, some collector vintage strikes with royal arms or other motif (e.g., 2002 Golden Jubilee).

Who were the designers of the 5 Elizabeth II portraits?

Mary Gillick (1881-1965) — English sculptor, 1953 portrait as 25-year-old queen. Arnold Machin (1911-1999) — English sculptor, 1968 portrait with Tudor Crown (also on UK stamps). Raphael Maklouf (1937-) — English sculptor of Palestinian origin, 1985 portrait with necklace. Ian Rank-Broadley (1952-) — English sculptor, 1998 portrait with more mature image. Jody Clark (1981-) — the youngest designer of a monarch portrait in Royal Mint history, 2015 portrait with Imperial State Crown.

How does Mix Years differ from Elizabeth II 2022 and other Sovereigns?

Elizabeth II Mix Years (1957-2021) — random vintage from 65-year period, 5 possible portraits, lowest premium (5-9%) due to high supply. Elizabeth II 2022 — specific final vintage with Jody Clark portrait, Memorial Year (death 8.09.2022), higher collector premium (8-15%). Victoria, Edward VII, George V — all historical Sovereigns with correspondingly higher premiums (8-20%) due to vintage rarity.

For whom is the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years a practical choice?

For portfolios focused on the bullion function with optimisation of per-gram gold cost (lowest premium 5-9% among historical Sovereigns), for UK tax residents using the CGT-free status for tax optimisation, for first-time buyers of a first Sovereign (most popular type), and for portfolios requiring larger Sovereign packages (high supply of the 65-year mintage). Mix Years is not a practical choice for collectors of specific portraits or rare vintages.

What is the LBMA, VAT, CGT and IRA status of the Sovereign Elizabeth II?

LBMA Good Delivery — YES (Royal Mint holds the status since 1750, the oldest active). VAT in the EU — EXEMPT (legal-tender coin, fineness 916.7 above 900, struck after 1800 — meets the Polish VAT Act Art. 122 and EU Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 344 criteria). CGT-free in the United Kingdom — YES (British legal tender Sovereign). IRA-eligible in the USA — NO.

How do I buy the Sovereign Elizabeth II Mix Years at GoldInvest24?

Place an order in our shop with access to the gold bullion coins category, the full range of Royal Mint Sovereigns (Victoria Young Head, Jubilee, Old Head, Edward VII, George V, Elizabeth II Mix Years, Elizabeth II 2022, Charles III) and the offer of LBMA mints. Within Mix Years we deliver a random vintage from available stock. Check the current gold quotes to compare the premium against the current spot price.