UK Full Gold Sovereign Elizabeth II 1957-1968
Elizabeth II appear on Sovereigns from 1957. Although she became Queen in 1952, Sovereign minting did not resume until 1957, therefore the first sovereign depicting her portrait appears from 1957. The Queen faces to the right on these coins and it is commonly referred to as the ‘young head’ or ‘pre-decimal’. The first portrait is the only coin that does not show the Queen wearing a crown. Coins were produced from 1957 up to 1968, with exception to 1960 and 1961, these year-dates were not minted. The modern British sovereigns feature Benedetto Pistrucci's design depicting George & the Dragon on the reverse. They have been struck both at the Royal Mint and at branch mints since 1817. - Each coin weighs 7.98g and is 916.7 22ct Gold. - Dimensions: Diameter: 22.05mm Thickness: 1.52mm. Other Information Coins were only produced at Tower Hill in London, as all overseas branches had closed. None of the sovereigns produced were used in general circulation. The edge of the coin reads ‘DEI GRATIA REGINA’. This is a short Latin inscription, which translates to 'By the Grace of God, Queen'.