1987 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign

We offer to you the 1987 Full Gold Proof Sovereign. A wonderful collector's piece, The Britannia Coin Company looks at all the elements needed to help you make your decision.

Struck to Handsome Proof Standard

Proof coins are the highest quality commemorative coins produced. They represent true skill and expertise, making coins like the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign truly exceptional examples for collectors everywhere. 

The dies that are used to strike Proof coins are hand finished to ensure perfection. The blanks are fed into the press by hand, before being struck up to six times. Working at a lower speed, and with less pressure than other finishes, this preserves the finer details of the designs. Each Proof die may only strike a few hundred coins before it has to be re-polished. This means that the Royal Mint can only strike about 50 Proof coins per hour. This is an exponentially slower rate of production than that maintained for circulating coins.

Due to the more intensive processes involved, Proof coins are usually issued in limited numbers. This is the case for the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign, as only 9,979 coins were struck in this year. This is nearly double than the year before. There were no bullion coins produced between 1983 and 1999, meaning that the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign is the only example of a Sovereign that you will find from this year.

History of the Gold Sovereign

Spanning a history of over 500 years, the Gold Sovereign dates back to the reign of Henry VII in 1489. The Sovereign we see today however is the version that was reinstated in the Nineteenth Century during the reign of George III. The costs of the Napoleonic Wars saw a need for a reform of Britain's coinage. The Great Recoinage of 1816 saw the Sovereign reintroduced in 1817, the first of which were produced at The Royal Mints' new premises in Tower Hill. Using their newly acquired steam powered coin press, this technology propelled coin production forwards at much higher speeds.

Now an instantly recognisable coin to collectors around the world, the Sovereign is today considered not only to be one of the most trusted bullion coins in existence, but their status means that they are relied upon by investors around the world. This legacy means that the Sovereign remains a highly desirable coin for buyers today.

7.98 Grams of 22 Carat Gold

Every Gold Sovereign has been minted to the same specification since their reintroduction in 1817. This includes the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign. 

22 Carat Gold is the equivalent to a purity of 91.6% or a fineness of .917. This means that each 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign contains an excellent 7.32 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces of pure gold.

The remaining weight in a Full Gold Sovereign is predominately copper, which gives Sovereigns their distinctive reddish tone.

Additionally, every Gold Sovereign has a diameter of 22.00 millimetres and a thickness of 1.52 millimetres. 

Saint George and the Dragon

The Great Recoinage and resurrection of the Sovereign in 1817 called for a new design to appear on the reverse of the coin. The design that was chosen has become synonymous with the gold Sovereign. Benedetto Pistrucci's depiction of Saint George and the Dragon has largely held its own as the engraving of choice for the reverse of Sovereign's for over 200 years. This particular design also paid homage to the King on the throne during its inception – George III as well as his successor George VI – as well as the recent victory over the French at Waterloo.

The design was used almost consecutively on the Sovereigns of the British monarchy, featuring since the reign of Victoria exclusively, right up until the present day, including the 1987 Proof Gold Sovereign.

Raphael Maklouf's Royal Portrait

Raphael Maklouf is the engraver responsible for the ‘third portrait' of Elizabeth II that is seen on the 1987 Proof Gold Sovereign. This portrait featured from 1985 to 1997, with the exception of the 1989 500th anniversary Sovereign. The portrait seen here differs from the general circulation portrait of this period, which was also selected from Maklouf's designs in 1984. His initials, RDM, can be seen at the base of Elizabeth II's neck. 

The inscription on the obverse reads ‘ELIZABETH II DEI ∙ GRA ∙ REGINA ∙ FID ∙ DEF∙'. Translated from Latin, this phrase means ‘By The Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith'. This acknowledges Elizabeth II's role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. A position she has held since her coronation in 1952, a similar phrase has appeared on all of her official and commemorative currency since.

Collecting and Investing in Sovereigns

Over 30 years since this coin was minted, fewer and fewer 1987 Gold Proof Sovereigns are coming to the market. If you are working to complete a Proof Sovereign collection then it's important to acquire these dates when they become available.

As well as appealing to collectors of commemorative coins, Proof Sovereigns like the 1987 issue are an excellent way to diversify your investment portfolio for several reasons:

• The 22 Carat Gold composition of Gold Sovereigns offers the intrinsic security of precious metal as a way of storing wealth
• Their relatively low weight of 7.98 grams means that prices for Sovereigns are accessible and small portions of your collection can be liquidated much easier than gold bars
• The numismatic value and aesthetic beauty of coins like the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign can give them a value above the gold price on the collector's market
• As they are composed of investment grade gold, 1987 Gold Proof Sovereigns are exempt from VAT in the UK and the European Union
• An additional tax benefit: Gold Sovereigns are technically legal tender in the UK, making them exempt from Capital Gains Tax.

Here at The Britannia Coin Company we can't recommend the 1987 Gold Proof Sovereign enough. Secure yours today and get free insured delivery on your order. Any questions? Call or email today and our expert staff will be pleased to assist.