Gold Sovereign - Elizabeth II Young Head

First Portrait – Young Elizabeth:

Start Year: 1953 (Age 26 - 1 year after ascending to the throne)

End Year: 1970 (still used annually on Maundy Coins)

Sculptor: Mary Gillick

Queen Elizabeth II is the United Kingdom's longest ruling monarch. This coin features the first of her five official portraits that appear on Royal Mint coins.

This was her youngest appearance and was released before the decimal changes to UK currency. The sovereigns that use the First Portrait were released between 1957 and 1968.

The front/obverse side of the coin has the image of St. George riding a horse and slaying a dragon. The reverse side, like all UK coins since 1953, features Queen Elizabeth II.

The young Queen is wearing the laureate crown, alternatively known as a laurel wreath. The writing on the coin around the edges is latin, stating DEI GRATIA REGINA which is short for 'By the Grace of God, Queen' and the letters F D which stand for 'Fidei defensor' or 'Defender of the Faith'. This is to reflect the Queen's position as the Head of the Church of England.

If you require a specific year coin please see our selection here.