{"product_id":"1978-elizabeth-ii-sovereign-pcgs-ms64","title":"1978 Gold Sovereign – Elizabeth II Decimal Portrait – PCGS MS64","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraded \u003cstrong\u003ePCGS MS64\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCoin Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGraded PCGS MS64 — a strong, well-preserved grade for a bullion-era Sovereign\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObverse: Arnold Machin's \"decimal head\" second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse: Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George and the Dragon, with \"B.P.\" initials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStruck in 22 carat gold by The Royal Mint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEncapsulated in a tamper-evident PCGS holder for authenticity and protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"spec-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYear\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1978\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMint\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Royal Mint, Llantrisant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComposition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22 carat gold (91.67% fine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.98 grams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22.05 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEdge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReeded\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eObverse Designer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArnold Machin (second portrait)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReverse Designer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBenedetto Pistrucci\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrading\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCGS MS64\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy This Coin Stands Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs UK legal tender gold, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents and free from VAT under current investment gold rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgs.com\/cert\/36652281\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e1978 Sov S-SC1 Au\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Mint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60145495179598,"sku":"1978-gold-sovereign-pcgs-ms64","price":890.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0853\/9370\/3246\/files\/1978-full-sovereign-pcgs-ms64-obverse.webp?v=1784191971","url":"https:\/\/www.sovaracoins.com\/products\/1978-elizabeth-ii-sovereign-pcgs-ms64","provider":"Sovara Coins LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}