Gold 'full' Sovereign dated 1957 to 1968 with Mary Gillick's first definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to the obverse.
Who Was Mary Gillick?
Mary Gillick (1881-1965) was the artist behind the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II seen on her coinage.
Born in Nottingham, Gillick trained at the Royal College of Art. Working out of a studio in Chelsea she specialised in large-scale bas-relief work in stone and bronze but had previously designed several medals in a career spanning more than five decades.
Upon the death of King George VI in February 1952, Gillick was invited to submit designs for the new Queen's first coinage, alongside 17 other artists. Her winning portrait would be informed by profile photos taken by society photographer Dorothy Wilding and the guidance from The Royal Mint Advisory Committee, notably its president, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Gillick was awarded an OBE in the 1953 Coronation Honours for her contribution to coinage.
Mary Gillick's Portrait Of Elizabeth II
The first definitive effigy of Her Majesty the Queen shows her facing right, her hair caught up in a wreath of laurels, tied at her neck with a ribbon. The youthful portrait, unencumbered with crown has echoes of William Wyon's Young Head portrait of Elizabeth's great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Gillick's portrait was unveiled in November 1952. Contemporary newspaper reports dwelt on the fact that the artist, like the new monarch, was a woman. Elizabeth II was 25 in 1952, Gillick was 71.
The Gillick portrait was used on coinage in the UK and further afield from 1953 until 1970. It could still be seen on Queen Elizabeth's maundy money and on British commemorative stamps, long after new definitive portraits had been introduced on circulating coinage.
Gold Gillick Full Sovereigns
Mary Gillick's portrait of the Queen can be seen on British Sovereigns minted between 1957 and 1968.
No Sovereigns were minted for the first few years of Elizabeth II's reign, excepting the supremely rare 1953 Sovereign, produced only for institutional collections. No gold Sovereigns were struck in 1960 or 1961 and then there was a gap in production from 1969 until 1974 when the denomination was reintroduced with a new obverse portrait by Arnold Machin.
Sovereigns minted between 1953 and 1968 bear the legend: '+ ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:'.
All Gillick portrait Sovereigns show the classic image of Saint George and the dragon to the reverse. This interpretation of the legend of England's patron saint has been a perennial feature of these coins down the centuries and is the work of an Italian artist named Benedetto Pistrucci. The date appears below.
What Is A Gold Sovereign?
The history of the Sovereign starts in the time of the Tudor kings. The hammered gold coins first issued by Henry VII would later lend their prestigious name to a new coin, introduced in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars as part of a wholesale overhaul of British currency.
The first modern Sovereigns, struck in 1817, established specifications that have now been followed for two centuries. Each 'full' Sovereign is composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres.
All Gillick Head Sovereigns all have a pure gold weight of 7.32 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces.
Once, Sovereigns circulated across the globe but minting ceased in the early twentieth century. Their enduring popularity inspired The Royal Mint to begin issuing new Sovereigns in the 1950s, early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Investing In Historic Sovereigns
Gold Sovereigns are popular among investors and historic Sovereigns have a distinct appeal. Here's five reasons we recommend Widowed Head Sovereigns:
- Like all Sovereigns, these older coins are composed of 22 carat gold, offering the intrinsic security of precious metals as a means of storing wealth
- Each of these coins weighs 7.98 grams making them easy to store and their prices accessible to most buyers, particularly when compared to larger gold coins like Britannias and Krugerrands
- Gillick Head Sovereigns are free from VAT as investment gold in the UK and European Union
- As they're still technically legal tender in the UK, these older gold coins are also Capital Gains Tax exempt
- Lastly, the numismatic appeal and aesthetic beauty of these coins adds a collectible element and can give Elizabeth II Sovereigns a value above bullion
How To Buy A Gillick Head Sovereign?
Our best value Gillick Head Sovereigns are selected by us from our available stock. You may find coins dated 1957 to 1968 in your order. If you're looking for a specific, rare date example like a low-mintage 1959 Sovereign then it's worth browsing our wide range of Elizabeth II Sovereigns.
We carefully authenticate all our gold coins using our decades of expertise as well as XRF technology which allows us to check the chemical composition of Sovereigns without damaging them.
Each of these First Portrait Sovereigns is graded EF or better that the fascinating portrait is intact though very minor signs of handling may be apparent. These will not impact the gold weight or the appeal of these circulated Elizabethan coins.
How To Sell A Gillick Head Sovereign?
If you're looking to sell a gold Gillick Head Sovereign we can help. We buy these coins and many more via post and across our dedicated gold counter where we can give you industry leading prices for everything from ancient gold to modern circulated 50ps while you wait. Visit our Sell Your Coins page to request a personalised quote.
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
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.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
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).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
