1997 Gold Proof Half Sovereign PF70 Ultra Cameo
Free discreet RMSD Delivery
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CGT & VAT exempt for UK residents
14-day return policy
The 1997 Gold Proof Half Sovereign marks the final appearance of Raphael Maklouf’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II before it was replaced by the fourth portrait in 1998. This historic transitional issue is struck in 22 carat gold to The Royal Mint’s proof standard and graded PF70 Ultra Cameo by NGC – a flawless example in perfect condition.
The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George and the Dragon design, while the obverse showcases Maklouf’s classic effigy of the late Queen in high relief. With very few examples surviving in PF70 grade, this is one of the most desirable half sovereigns of the 1990s for collectors focused on condition rarity and design significance.
Coin Highlights
• Year: 1997
• Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
• Denomination: Half Sovereign
• Grade: NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
• Metal: 22 Carat Gold (916.7 fineness)
• Weight: 3.99g
• Diameter: 19.30mm
• Obverse: Raphael Maklouf portrait
• Reverse: St George and the Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci
• Finish: Proof
• Graded: Sealed NGC holder with unique certification number
• Mintage: Limited edition proof issue
Condition
Graded PF70 Ultra Cameo – perfect condition under magnification with strong mirrored fields and deeply frosted devices.
Why Buy This Coin?
• Final year of the Maklouf portrait
• Scarce in PF70 Ultra Cameo – the highest grade awarded
• Certified by NGC and sealed in a tamper-proof holder
• A key date for collectors building a full PF70 set
• CGT-exempt for UK-based collectors and investors
Explore more: View our full range of graded sovereigns and gold coins.
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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.