First Sovereign Struck In South Wales
The 1976 Sovereign was the first bullion Sovereign to be struck at The Royal Mint's new Llantrisant facility in South Wales, marking a major shift in the coin's production history.
Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1968, the Llantrisant site gradually replaced the long-standing Tower Hill mint in London. The final coin to be struck in London was a 1974 Sovereign, and with no 1975 Sovereigns issued, the 1976 issue became the first of its kind to be minted at the new site.
These coins were struck with a bullion finish, and our pre-owned examples may show signs of handling and minor scratches, typical of an investment coin that is now decades old.
Royal Portrait Of Elizabeth II
The obverse of the 1976 Sovereign shows the second official coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin RA.
This effigy depicts the Queen facing right and wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, capturing a poised and youthful appearance. The portrait was in use across UK coinage from 1968 to 1984.
Surrounding the portrait is an inscription which reads 'ELIZABETH ∙ II ∙ DEI ∙ GRATIA ∙ REGINA ∙ F: D:' which translates from the Latin as 'Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'.
Browse the range: Arnold Machin Portrait Gold Sovereigns
Pistrucci's Saint George Reverse
The reverse of the 1976 Sovereign carries a timeless design, depicting Saint George slaying a dragon, first created by Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci in 1817.
This classically styled engraving shows England's Patron saint on horseback, sword raised, in a dramatic encounter with a coiled, winged dragon. The date (1976) is shown in exergue with the artist's initials - 'B.P.' - to the lower right.
This enduring design continues to define the Sovereign series and links modern bullion coins like the 1976 issue with centuries of Royal Mint tradition.
How Many Sovereigns Were Minted In 1976?
According to official records, The Royal Mint struck 4,150,000 bullion Sovereigns in 1976. These coins were produced exclusively for the international bullion market.
No proof Sovereigns or Half Sovereigns were issued in this year, and the release of official Sovereign sets would not begin until 1980.
While the 1976 Sovereign is not considered rare, this issue's high mintage ensures affordability, making it a practical choice for stacking physical gold.
Collecting 1976 Gold Sovereigns
With its accessible price point, classic design, and historic status as the first Sovereign from The Royal Mint's new home in Llantrisant, the 1976 gold Sovereign stands out among modern bullion issues.
While these bullion coins were issued with investors in mind, they represent an important moment in British coinage history, which makes them appealing to collectors keen to acquire important modern Sovereigns.
Offering strong liquidity and a relatively low premium over spot, the 1976 Sovereign continues to serve as a cornerstone investment in gold portfolios.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
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The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
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