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Royal Mint

1983 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

£1,160 In stock, ready to ship

£1,137 by bank transfer save £23

Save 2%

Paying by bank transfer

This coin by bank transfer £1,137
  1. Add the coin to your basket and check out as normal.
  2. At the payment step, choose Bank transfer.
  3. We'll email you an invoice with your 2% saving already deducted, along with our bank details.
  4. Pay the invoice amount, using your order number as the reference.
  5. Once your payment reaches us, your coin is dispatched free and fully insured by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Available on orders of £250 or more. Questions? Call or message us on 07340 710102.

NGC PF70 Ultra CameoCert 8467450006Pop. 77, none higher

Your purchase, guaranteed.

  • Rated 4.5★ on Trustpilot
  • Free, discreet insured delivery by Royal Mail Special Delivery
  • Certification verifiable online with NGC or PCGS
  • CGT and VAT exempt for UK residents
  • 14-day return policy

Questions about this coin? Call or message 07340 710102

1983 Gold Proof Sovereign – Arnold Machin Decimal Portrait – NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

This 1983 Sovereign carries Arnold Machin's second definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, widely known as the "decimal head" — a youthful, draped portrait showing the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, in use on UK coinage from 1968 into the mid-1980s. The reverse carries Benedetto Pistrucci's enduring Saint George and the Dragon design, struck using specially selected blanks and highly polished dies to achieve the coin's proof finish.

1983 holds a distinctive place in the Sovereign's story: from 1983 through to 1997, gold Sovereigns were issued in proof form only, with no bullion or general circulation strikes produced in any of those years. This makes every Sovereign dated 1983 a proof coin by definition, rather than one of two possible finishes.

Graded NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the maximum attainable grade, reflecting a flawless strike with no imperfections under magnification and strong cameo contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields. Only 77 examples of this coin have ever been certified at this top grade.

Coin Highlights

  • Arnold Machin's "decimal head" second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci's Saint George and the Dragon
  • From 1983 — part of a run of years where Sovereigns were issued in proof form only, with no bullion strikes produced
  • Total issue of 21,250, including those from the three-coin proof set offered that year
  • Struck in 22 carat gold to proof finish by The Royal Mint
  • Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — with only 77 examples graded at this level
  • Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection

Specifications

Year 1983
Mint The Royal Mint, Llantrisant
Composition 22 carat gold (91.67% fine)
Weight 7.98 grams
Diameter 22.05 mm
Edge Milled
Finish Proof
Obverse Designer Arnold Machin (second portrait)
Reverse Designer Benedetto Pistrucci
Total Issue (incl. sets) 21,250
Grading NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
Population at Grade 77 (NGC, correct at time of listing)

Why This Coin Stands Out

With gold Sovereigns issued in proof form only across this entire era, 1983 carries a slightly different story to the higher-mintage bullion-era dates in the same portrait run — every surviving example was struck to proof standard from the outset. Combined with a population of just 77 at PF70 Ultra Cameo, this is a strong choice for collectors building a Machin decimal-portrait year set or seeking a top-graded proof from this distinctive proof-only period.

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. Browse our full range of graded gold Sovereigns to find more pieces across every era.

1983 G.BRITAIN 1SOV

Have a question?

Speak toa specialist.

Ask about grade, population or anything else before you buy. Call or message or send us your question below.

07340 710102

Need help?

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer a discount for paying by bank transfer?

Yes. Pay by bank transfer and you'll save 2% on orders of £250 or more.

  1. Add your coin to the basket and check out as normal.
  2. At the payment step, choose Bank transfer.
  3. We'll email you an invoice with your 2% saving already deducted, along with our bank details.
  4. Pay the invoice amount, using your order number as the reference.
  5. Once your payment reaches us, your coin is dispatched free and fully insured by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Every coin page shows its bank transfer price just under the main price, so you'll know the exact amount before you order. Questions? Call or message us on 07340 710102.

Delivery & returns

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.
Payment & verification information

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.

Can I verify the coin's grade?

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.

What is the population or top pop figure?

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.

Do you offer part exchange?


Yes. We accept all proof coins and graded coins in part exchange, including NGC and PCGS certified coins, boxed gold and silver proofs, and proof sets. 

Tell us what you'd like to trade and which coin you have your eye on, and we'll give you a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.

The Seventy Select

Graded 70.Nothing less.

Every coin here is graded PF70 Ultra Cameo or MS70, the highest grade NGC and PCGS award.