1987 Sovereign Gold Proof

In this year, Margaret Thatcher celebrated a third term in office, becoming the longest reigning Prime Minister in the United Kingdom for over a century, and work on the greatly anticipated Channel Tunnel began. The year was also tinged with sadness as many lost their lives in the Zeebrugge disaster and the tragic King's Cross fire. What memories does 1987 hold for you?

Remember the moment with this original coin - The Sovereign - struck in its distinctive 22 carat gold, finished to Proof standard, with its illustrious St George and the dragon design on the reverse. The obverse of the coin is a real nod to the past as it bears the third coinage portrait of The Queen by Raphael Maklouf, introduced in 1985. This would make an authentic addition to any collection, or a great gift for someone with a connection to 1987.

From 1985 to 1997, UK circulating coins featured a royal portrait by the sculptor Raphael Maklouf. The portrait was couped and showed The Queen wearing the royal diadem, which she normally wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament.

Unlike the earlier portraits, Maklouf’s version also shows The Queen wearing a necklace and earrings. Critics accused him of sculpting The Queen “flatteringly young” but Maklouf responded by pointing out that his intention had been “to create a symbol, regal and ageless.”

If you look closely you can see the artist’s initials, ‘RDM’, at the bottom of The Queen’s neck. Maklouf included his middle initial, D for David, to make sure that his initials wouldn’t be seen as a reference to The Royal Mint.