Queen Elizabeth II Effigies Series
The Portraits of a Queen collection is a landmark five-coin series from The Royal Mint honouring the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch. Over 70 years on the throne, her image became a defining symbol of continuity, appearing on UK coinage from her coronation in 1953 through decimalisation in 1971 to her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
This premium collection revisits each of the five definitive effigies that featured on circulating currency during the Queen's reign. Carefully remastered by The Royal Mint's Chief Engraver, Gordon Summers, and struck using modern minting techniques, these collector's pieces highlight the fine detail sometimes lost on smaller circulating coinage.
Five Portraits Of A Queen
Portraits by five distinguished artists appeared on British coins during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
- Mary Gillick (1953-1967) - an elegant laureate portrait, first seen in Elizabeth's Coronation year
- Arnold Machin (1968-1984) - a graceful tiara-wearing effigy, introduced for the decimal era
- Raphael Maklouf (1985-1997) - the detailed and dignified third portrait
- Ian Rank-Broadley (1998-2015) - bold and realistic, showing the Queen as a grandmother
- Jody Clark (2015-2022) - the final effigy seen on the Queen's UK coins
From Gillick's youthful portrait to Clark's digitally-created effigy, each design reflects a distinct era in the Queen's life and the evolving style of British coinage. Together, they form a cohesive portrait gallery charting the life of one of the UK's most remarkable monarchs.
Low Mintage Royal Mint Coins
Struck in strictly limited numbers, Portraits of a Queen is a short five-part series offering coins in a wide range of finishes to suit every budget. Each piece is inscribed with the words' PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN' and the dates that the effigy was used, set against an appealing radial background which catches the light as the coin is turned.
Collectors can enjoy a spread of Crown-sized £5 coins in brilliant uncirculated, silver proof, and piedfort silver proof, as well as gold proof coins, and a selection of highly-collectable ounce-sized issues in gold, silver, and platinum.
All of the coins in the series are UK legal tender and feature Martin Jennings' definitive coinage portrait of King Charles III on the obverse.
