The Portraits Of A Queen Collection
The Royal Mint's Portraits of a Queen collection is a landmark five-part series paying tribute to one of the most enduring figures in British history, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022).
Over the course of her 70-year reign, Elizabeth II became a symbol of continuity and stability during changing times. Her image remained a familiar presence on the nation's coinage, from her coronation year in 1953, through decimalisation in 1971, and beyond to her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
This new series explores the story of Elizabeth II's coins in greater depth, revisiting each of the five official effigies that appeared on UK currency during her reign. Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint, has carefully remastered each portrait to capture the finest detail using modern techniques, giving collectors the chance to see these designs in a fresh and contemporary light.
Five Coinage Portraits Of Elizabeth II
Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was depicted on UK coins in five distinct portraits, each reflecting a different era of her life. These designs form the basis of the Portraits of a Queen series and together create a visual timeline of the life of Britain's longest-serving monarch.
Mary Gillick (1953–1967) - The first definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was designed by sculptor Mary Gillick following the Queen's accession in 1952. It shows a youthful monarch crowned with a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of peace and victory. Gillick's elegant and idealised portrait appeared on all UK coins from 1953 until decimalisation began in 1967.
Arnold Machin RA (1968–1984) - Arnold Machin's effigy replaced Gillick's portrait in 1968, coinciding with the move towards decimal currency. His design shows a more mature Queen, wearing the 'Girls of Great Britain and Ireland' tiara, and was widely admired for its balance of realism and grace.
Raphael Maklouf (1985–1997) - Raphael Maklouf's effigy was introduced in 1985 and offers a highly detailed and formal portrait of the Queen wearing the royal diadem. Maklouf aimed to present the monarch with poise and dignity, producing a portrait that became instantly recognisable to millions.
Ian Rank-Broadley (1998–2015) - The fourth definitive coinage portrait was created by Ian Rank-Broadley in 1998. His design took a bold and realistic approach, showing the Queen later in life, with greater emphasis on realism and character. It remained in use for nearly two decades.
Jody Clark (2015–2022) - Jody Clark's effigy, introduced in 2015, became the fifth and final portrait of Elizabeth II used on UK coins. Clark's design, created digitally, shows the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem and was used until her passing in 2022.
Limited Edition Royal Mint Coins
The Portraits of a Queen collection is a premium new collection from the UK's national mint, celebrating the nation's rich royal and numismatic heritage. The use of historic British coinage designs, remastered for a new audience, is very much in the tradition of the supremely popular Great Engravers collection, which proved a massive hit when it launched in 2019.
Portraits of a Queen offers lower mintages (at least if the first portrait range is anything to go by) and a strictly limited list of forthcoming designs compared with the open-ended Great Engravers series or the length of the Queen's Beasts and Tudor Beasts collections. With the series unfolding across just five releases, collectors have the opportunity to build a compact portrait gallery dedicated to the late Queen.
Collectors can expect to see Crown-sized £5 coins in brilliant uncirculated, silver proof, piedfort silver proof, and gold proof finishes. A range of ounce coins (2oz silver, 1/4oz gold, and 1/10oz gold) will also be available in strictly limited numbers. Each is expected to feature a portrait of King Charles III on the reverse, as designed by Martin Jennings.