1966 Gold Sovereign | Elizabeth II Gillick Portrait | NGC MS64
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1966 Gold Sovereign – Elizabeth II Gillick Portrait – NGC MS64
This 1966 Gold Sovereign carries the very first coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by British sculptor Mary Gillick. Gillick competed against sixteen other artists for the commission, and her design stood out for a deliberately youthful, uncrowned depiction of the young Queen — a style still used today on Maundy Money. The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci's enduring Saint George and the Dragon design, with the sculptor's "B.P." initials to the right of the ground line.
Graded NGC MS64, this coin shows a well-struck example with only moderate marks or hairlines consistent with the grade — a solid step above typical circulated or lightly handled examples of this date.
Coin Highlights
- Elizabeth II's first-ever coinage portrait, designed by Mary Gillick
- Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George and the Dragon, with "B.P." initials
- Graded NGC MS64 — a well-struck, well-preserved example
- Struck in 22 carat gold by The Royal Mint
- Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection
Specifications
| Year | 1966 |
| Mint | The Royal Mint, London |
| Composition | 22 carat gold (91.67% fine) |
| Weight | 7.98 grams |
| Diameter | 22.05 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Obverse Designer | Mary Gillick (first portrait) |
| Reverse Designer | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Grading | NGC MS64 |
Why This Coin Stands Out
The Gillick portrait is a genuinely historic design — it's the first time Elizabeth II appeared on British coinage, and its crownless, youthful style set the tone before later, more formal portraits followed. While 1966 is a common date for sovereigns, sourcing a well-struck NGC MS64 example gives collectors a meaningfully better piece than the average coin of this year, making it a strong choice for a first-portrait type set or a start to an Elizabeth II date collection.
As UK legal tender gold, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents and free from VAT under current investment gold rules.
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Delivery Information
We offer free insured delivery across the UK on all orders. Every coin is carefully inspected, securely packaged, and sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery - a fully tracked, next-day service that requires a signature on receipt.
All parcels are shipped discreetly and fully insured for peace of mind.
We currently do not ship internationally. Orders can only be delivered to the UK address provided at checkout, and we’re unable to send to PO Box addresses.
We aim to dispatch all orders within one business day of receiving cleared payment. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking details so you can monitor its progress.
Returns Policy
For non-bullion items (such as proof coins, graded coins or accessories), we’re happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt if you feel your coin is not as described and provided the item is returned in its original condition, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.
If an item is returned for reasons other than being not as described, return postage will be the responsibility of the buyer.
Important Notes
- All returns must be pre-authorised by our customer service team.
- Please use a tracked and insured service when sending items back to us, as we cannot accept liability for goods lost or damaged in transit.
- For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly with any questions.
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Every payment method we accept is fully secure, encrypted and protected. Once payment is confirmed, your order will be prepared for dispatch within one business day.
Yes. Every NGC-certified coin has a unique certification number visible on the slab label. You can verify the grade, coin details and population data at NGCcoin.uk using the cert number shown.
The NGC census records how many examples of each coin have been graded at each level. A Top Pop coin means no other example has achieved a higher grade — making it the finest certified specimen in existence for that issue.
Yes. If you have existing graded sovereigns you'd like to trade towards a purchase, contact us for a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.