1964 Gold Full Sovereign Elizabeth II Coin

Gold bullion Sovereigns are possibly the most famous of all gold coins, and a popular choice for both collectors and investors. The Sovereign is frequently known as 'The Chief Coin of the World' owing to the coin's international trading in the 1800s and 1900s. The modern gold Sovereign was first minted in Britain from 1817 until 1917, and then in 1925, 1957–59, 1962–68, 1974, 1976, 1978–82 and 2000 to the present day. Modern gold bullion Sovereign production was paused after 1982 up until the year 2000, although Proof versions were still issued. 

The first of the modern Sovereigns hosted a portrait of King George III and the 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. Pistrucci was an Italian engraver who became Chief Medallist at The Royal Mint. This 1964 Sovereign coin hosts a portrait of the longest reigning British monarch of all time, HM The Queen, Elizabeth II. 

Buy a 1964 Gold Sovereign 

• This pre-owned 1964 gold bullion Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold, weighs 7.98g and contains 7.32g of fine gold. 
• A mintage of three million bullion coins were produced at The Royal Mint for the year 1964. 
• The gold Sovereign is considered to be one of the world's oldest coins still in production and a pinnacle of minting excellence. 
• The perfect gift to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or wedding.

The year 1964

The year 1964 saw; Britain sweep up a string of gold medals in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, US President Lyndon B. Johnson introduce welfare packages in the 'war on poverty', concern grow in the UK over a 'brain drain' as many scientists relocated to the US, Cyprus enter a civil war with Turkey and Greece, 'Beatlemania' breakout across the US, the Verrazano-Narrows suspension bridge open in New York Harbor, Top of the Pops debut on the BBC, the birth of The Queen's third son Prince Edward and Princess Margaret's first child Lady Sarah Chatto, Radio Caroline make its first broadcast, BBC Two's launch disrupted by power cuts, novel documentary series 'Seven-Up' begin, the opening of the first UK shopping centre Birmingham's Bull Ring and Scotland's Forth Road Bridge, The Sun newspaper go into circulation, the abolishment of the death penalty, and Mods and Rockers clash in Brighton. 1964 was a significant year in history, now immortalised in coinage. 

The 1964 Gold Bullion Sovereign Coin

The Obverse (front, heads) presents Queen Elizabeth II's first portrait by Mary Gillick. The first Portrait of Elizabeth II was issued on British coinage in 1953, the year of Her Majesty's Coronation. The image hosts a youthful and uncrowned Queen. Gillick competed against 16 artists for the honour of designing the first Portrait of Elizabeth II. Her design stood out for its absence of a crown and The Queen's 'approachable' depiction. 

The Reverse (back, tails) of the 1964 gold bullion Sovereign hosts the signature 1817 'St George and the Dragon' design by Benedetto Pistrucci. In the 19th century, talented Italian engraver Pistrucci was instructed to develop designs for George III's silver and gold coins by William Wellesley-Pole, The Master of The Mint and the Waterloo Medal for the British Government, a commission which took the artist 30 years to create. 

The coin includes the inscription, 'DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF', which translates to 'By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'. The inscription refers to HM Queen Elizabeth II's position as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Elizabeth II has held the role since her accession to the throne in 1952. 

No Proof version of the 1964 gold Sovereign was issued. This 1964 bullion coin may be supplied in an acrylic capsule. 

St George and the Dragon

The ancient legend of 'St George and the dragon' dates back to the reign of William of Malmesbury, during the third century, where inspiration for the story was drawn from a Roman soldier who refused to give up his Christian faith. There are many fabled stories associated with St George, the majority of which honour him as a brave hero with English ideals and a symbol of Christianity. The most well-known tale sees St George as a heroic rescuer on horseback sent to rescue a young maiden or princess sacrificed to a dragon, which he slays to save her life. It is widely believed that the dragon was slain at Uffington's Dragon Hill, a Bronze-age site just 20 miles from our premises. Since 1222, St George has been celebrated on the 23rd April every year in England, the country of which the legend is the patron saint.