2025 Sovereign Collection
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2025 Sovereign Collection
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In 1964 Arnold Machin was chosen to design the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that still features on our stamps to this day. In fact, his portrait that features on our stamps is the most reproduced work of art in history, with over 320 reproductions. Her Majesty has been asked on several occasions if she would approve a replacement to Arnold Machin’s design, but has always refused, stating a replacement would have to be “a work of real quality”.

Machin’s coinage portrait of Her Majesty first appeared on the change in our pockets in 1968, but it would take 6 years before it was used on a Sovereign that the public could own.

The 1974 Elizabeth II Sovereign

Discover the 1974 Elizabeth II Sovereign, the first of its kind to be struck after decimalisation.

Specification

Specification Value
Denomination Sovereign
Alloy 22 Carat Gold
Weight 7.98 g
Diameter 22.05mm
Reverse Designer Benedetto Pistrucci
Specification Value
Obverse Designer Arnold Machin
Quality Circulating
Year 1974
Pure Metal Type Gold
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