The 1996 Sovereign
Proof Condition
Price: £940.00
Product code: HISSOV96
- Contains the third portrait of Her Late Majesty by Raphael Maklouf
- Featuring the famous St George and the dragon reverse design by Benedetto Pistrucci
- The 1996 proof sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold
- The 1996 sovereign was only issued as a proof coin, no uncirculated sovereigns were produced.
- Mintage of just 7,500
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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.
Specification
The 1996 Sovereign
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Sovereign |
| Alloy | 22 Carat Gold |
| Weight | 7.98 g |
| Diameter | 22.05mm |
| Reverse Designer | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Obverse Designer | Raphael Maklouf |
| Quality | Proof |
| Year | 1996 |
| Pure Metal Type | Gold |
