2016 Gold Proof Double Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — James Butler Portrait

A Once-Only Portrait: The 2016 Gold Proof Double Sovereign in NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

The 2016 Gold Proof Double Sovereign is one of the most distinctive and collectible modern sovereign issues in the entire series — not for any design anniversary or technical innovation, but for something far rarer: a portrait that exists on no other sovereign before or since. To mark Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday, The Royal Mint commissioned sculptor James Butler RA MBE to create a special commemorative obverse exclusively for the 2016 proof sovereign family. It was used in 2016 only. The following year, Jody Clark's portrait returned. No other sovereign in the modern era has carried the Butler effigy, making every 2016 proof sovereign — at any denomination — a unique numismatic type.

This Double Sovereign example has been certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the highest grade numerically achievable. With a maximum mintage of just 921, and only a fraction having reached the summit PF70 grade, this coin sits at the intersection of historical significance and extreme condition rarity. Verify this coin's grade on NGCcoin.uk →

Technical Specifications

The James Butler Portrait — Why It Matters

James Butler RA MBE is one of Britain's most celebrated sculptors, known for major civic works and a small number of numismatic commissions of the highest order. His portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for the 2016 proof sovereign was created specifically to honour her 90th birthday — a conscious artistic departure from the standard circulating effigy. Where Jody Clark's fifth portrait, used on all other 2016 coinage, is a formal definitive design intended for mass production, Butler's interpretation is more personal in character. The Queen wears the George IV State Diadem — as on other sovereign portraits — but the treatment is more painterly, the likeness described by Butler himself as intended to convey affection rather than ceremony: "I wanted to show a likeness of her, an affectionate image, as this was a celebration rather than a circulating coinage portrait."

The portrait appeared on proof strikes only — the standard bullion sovereign of 2016 retained the Jody Clark effigy. It was never used on any other year's coinage. Butler's initials JB appear on the truncation, the only time these initials have ever appeared on a British sovereign.

Why This Coin

• The Only Sovereign to Carry the Butler Portrait: Every proof sovereign collector building a type set by obverse designer must own a 2016 example — there is no alternative date. The Butler effigy exists on sovereign coinage for one year only: 2016. This makes it an essential acquisition for any serious modern proof sovereign collection, regardless of denomination preference.
• Mintage of Just 921: Of the five denominations in the 2016 proof sovereign family, the Double Sovereign is the third-rarest by mintage, with only 921 produced. With PF70 examples representing a thin fraction of that figure, and examples in this condition already absorbed into long-term collections, acquiring a PF70 Double Sovereign from the 2016 Butler year is becoming increasingly difficult.
• Flawless PF70 Ultra Cameo Certification: The NGC PF70 grade confirms every surface of this coin is absolutely perfect under expert examination at 5x magnification — no contact marks, no striking weakness, no handling imperfections of any kind. The Ultra Cameo designation further confirms the maximum possible contrast between the deeply frosted raised design and the mirror-polished fields. This is what a proof sovereign looks like at its absolute best.
• A Key Type Coin for the Modern Sovereign Series: Collectors who build runs by portrait or by year cannot complete the modern Elizabeth II proof sovereign section without a 2016 Butler-portrait piece. The Double Sovereign at this size (28.4mm) shows the portrait to particularly strong effect and is the natural choice for collectors who want impact without the commitment of the Five Sovereign.
• CGT & VAT Exempt — Fully Tax-Free for UK Investors: As official UK legal tender, this coin is completely exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and VAT under current UK law. Any appreciation in value is entirely tax-free for UK holders.

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