1957 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Coin

First Modern Gold Bullion Sovereigns

The 1957 Sovereign was the first mass-produced bullion Sovereign, issued by The Royal Mint for decades.

Annual issues from the London mint ceased in 1917, and coins from international branch mints dried up in the early 1930s. A very small number of gold Sovereigns were struck in 1953 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, but these are vanishingly rare and mostly found in museum collections.

The 1957 Sovereign re-established the Sovereign as an investment coin for a new era. Minted to a long-standing specification with a classic reverse and a beautiful new royal portrait, these pieces are now highly regarded for their historic and monetary significance.

As pre-owned coins, these 1957 coins may display contact marks and signs of handling, typical of older bullion coins.

Mary Gillick's Portrait Of Elizabeth II

The obverse of the 1957 Sovereign features the first coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, created by sculptor Mary Gillick.

Unlike later designs, this portrait presents the Queen uncrowned, wearing a laurel wreath in the classical style, conveying youth and dignity. The portrait was used on circulating UK coinage from 1953 to 1967 and is especially admired for its softer, more naturalistic features compared to later effigies.

The legend reads '+ ELIZABETH ∙ II ∙ DEI ∙ GRATIA ∙ REGINA ∙ F: D:', which is abbreviated Latin for 'Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith'.

Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George

Like most Sovereigns struck since 1817, the reverse of the 1957 issue features Benedetto Pistrucci's legendary engraving of Saint George mounted on horseback slaying a dragon.

The image is full of classical energy—St George raises a sword atop a rearing horse as the serpent-like dragon coils beneath. The initials 'B.P.’ appear in the exergue, just beneath the ground line. This design is rich in symbolism and forms a key link between the Sovereign's early 19th-century roots and its continued use today.

The date - 1957 - appears at the base of the reverse.

1957 Sovereign Mintage Figures

The Royal Mint struck 2,072,000 Sovereigns in 1957—none of which were released into general circulation.

This was the first Sovereign struck for bullion purposes after a long hiatus. Although not especially rare in bullion terms, the 1957 issue is highly collectable due to its historical importance as the first modern Elizabeth II gold Sovereign.

No proof Sovereigns or half Sovereigns were produced in this year, making the bullion Sovereign the only format available to collectors or investors.

Collecting Gillick Gold Sovereigns

The 1957 Sovereign is a foundational piece for modern Sovereign collectors as the first bullion issue made in the second half of the 20th century.

Coins from the early Elizabeth II period (1957–1968) all feature the Mary Gillick portrait, showing the Queen uncrowned and wearing a laurel wreath. These coins were never intended for circulation, so all examples are bullion strikes, but the beauty of the effigy and their historic significance have made them appealing to more than just investors.

Collectors often seek to build full runs of Elizabeth II Sovereigns by date or portrait type. The 1957 issue is particularly important as the first modern bullion Sovereign, representing a return to tradition and the start of the Sovereign's role in 20th-century gold investment.

Browse the range: Gillick Portrait UK Gold Sovereigns

How Much Is A 1957 Sovereign Worth?

The value of a 1957 Sovereign is closely tied to the live gold price, as each coin contains 7.31 grams of fine gold.

Most coins trade at a modest premium above gold spot due to their bullion status and recognisability. That said, the 1957 issue may command slightly higher premiums from collectors because it is the first Queen Elizabeth II bullion Sovereign, adding historical interest. Prices vary depending on gold market fluctuations and the coin's condition.