Gold Sovereign - Elizabeth II Decimal Portrait
**Second Portrait:**. **Start Year:** 1968 (5+10p), 1970 (decimalisation). **End Year:** 1984. **Sculptor:** Arnold Machin (O.B.E, R.A). Our Best Value Decimal Head gold Sovereigns, perfect for investors who don't mind which year of coin they receive. The 'Decimal' portrait is the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. First introduced on 5p and 10p coins in 1968 as an early test, the portrait came into full production with the Royal Mint in 1970 - coinciding with the planned decimalisation due to commence in 1971. The sculptor and coin specialist Arnold Machin designed the coin, and the Queen is seen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara – a wedding gift from grandmother Queen Mary in 1947. Interestingly the same portrait - following a few alterations - has been used on Royal Mail stamps since 1967. As with all the British gold sovereigns you can see St George slaying the dragon on the front of the coin, and the Queen's portrait on the reverse. It is accompanied by the Latin DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D which literally translates into English as 'By the Grace of God, Queen' and 'Defender of the Faith'. **You will receive a random year coin of our choosing. If you require a specific year coin please see our selection [here.](file:///gold-sovereign-specific-year/elizabeth-ii-decimal-head-1974-1984/)**.