The Machin Portrait (1968–1984)

The Arnold Machin Portrait — Gold Sovereigns 1968 to 1984

The second definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on British coinage was created by sculptor Arnold Machin OBE RA, one of the most celebrated artists ever to work for The Royal Mint. His portrait — distinguished by its uncrowned, elegant profile — appeared on gold sovereigns from 1968 to 1984, spanning some of the most historically significant years in the modern sovereign series.

Machin's portrait is immediately recognisable to collectors: the Queen faces right, uncrowned, with refined hair detail and a quietly authoritative bearing. The design was considered so successful that it endured for sixteen years across all sovereign denominations — from the quarter sovereign to the five sovereign piece. The same portrait also appeared on British decimal coinage and, in a slightly different form, on postage stamps, where it became one of the most reproduced images in history.

Why Machin Era Sovereigns Are Particularly Sought After in PF70

Proof sovereigns from the Machin era (1974 onwards, when the Royal Mint began issuing modern proof sets for collectors) present a unique grading challenge. The polishing and frosting techniques of the 1970s and early 1980s were less refined than those used in later decades. Many coins from this period suffer from light milk spotting, microscopic handling marks, or subdued cameo contrast — all of which prevent them from achieving the top PF70 grade.

The result is that PF70 Ultra Cameo examples of Machin era sovereigns are significantly scarcer than their modern counterparts. Coins that achieved PF70 from this period represent genuinely exceptional striking and handling at every stage — from the Royal Mint's production floor to the NGC grading room. For collectors building a complete PF70 date run of proof sovereigns, the Machin years are typically the hardest to complete.

Key Dates in the Machin Sovereign Series

1974 is the first year The Royal Mint issued proof sovereigns for collectors in the modern era, making it a foundational date for any collection. 1979 marks a particularly scarce year in PF70 — one of the lowest populations of any modern proof sovereign, making Top Pop examples among the rarest certified British gold coins. 1980 and 1984 are the final full years of the Machin portrait, adding closing-year collector significance.

CGT Exempt Investment Gold

All British gold sovereigns are Capital Gains Tax exempt for UK residents and carry no VAT as investment gold — making Machin era certified sovereigns one of the most tax-efficient numismatic assets available in the UK.

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