1978 Gold Sovereign – Elizabeth II Decimal Portrait – PCGS MS64
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CGT & VAT exempt for UK residents
14-day return policy
This 1978 Gold Sovereign features the second definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin and known as the "decimal head" — the first coinage portrait issued following the UK's move to decimal currency. The reverse carries Benedetto Pistrucci's enduring Saint George and the Dragon design, with the sculptor's "B.P." initials below the ground line.
Graded PCGS MS64, this coin sits comfortably above typical circulated or lightly handled bullion-strike Sovereigns, with strong lustre and only minor, well-scattered marks consistent with the grade. As with all bullion-era Sovereigns of this period, no proof versions were struck in 1978 — this coin was issued for circulation and bullion demand only, making a well-preserved MS64 example a solid step up in quality over the typical coin of this date.
Coin Highlights
- Graded PCGS MS64 — a strong, well-preserved grade for a bullion-era Sovereign
- Obverse: Arnold Machin's "decimal head" second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
- Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George and the Dragon, with "B.P." initials
- Struck in 22 carat gold by The Royal Mint
- Encapsulated in a tamper-evident PCGS holder for authenticity and protection
Specifications
| Year | 1978 |
| Mint | The Royal Mint, Llantrisant |
| Composition | 22 carat gold (91.67% fine) |
| Weight | 7.98 grams |
| Diameter | 22.05 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Obverse Designer | Arnold Machin (second portrait) |
| Reverse Designer | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Grading | PCGS MS64 |
Why This Coin Stands Out
The 1978 Sovereign is a well-known key date for collectors building an Elizabeth II decimal-portrait year set, and its high mintage makes it an accessible way to add a classic Machin-portrait Sovereign to a collection. A PCGS MS64 grade takes it a step further, offering meaningfully better eye appeal and preservation than a typical raw or lower-grade example — a worthwhile upgrade for collectors who want quality alongside history.
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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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
At Sovara Coins, your security is our priority. To protect both our customers and ourselves from fraud, we currently accept debit card and bank transfer payments only.
- Debit card payments are processed securely through our trusted payment provider, giving you instant confirmation at checkout.
- Bank transfer payments are also welcome and full instructions will be provided during the checkout process.
Please note that we do not accept credit cards. This policy helps us keep prices competitive and ensures all transactions remain low-risk and fully traceable.
For your protection:
- Billing and shipping addresses must match.
- On higher-value orders, we may request ID verification before dispatch. This is a quick process and helps keep your purchase safe.
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.