Description
The 1980 Gold Proof Sovereign combines Arnold Machin’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the historic Saint George and the dragon reverse. Struck by The Royal Mint for collectors, it presents these familiar designs with the carefully prepared surfaces of a proof coin. This example has been authenticated and encapsulated by PCGS with the grade PR69 DCAM, recognising a near-flawless proof with pronounced contrast between the frosted details and mirrored fields.
The obverse features Machin’s second definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, depicting the Queen facing right and wearing a tiara. Closely associated with Britain’s transition to decimal coinage, this effigy gives the Sovereigns of the period their distinctive appearance. It remained on the Sovereign until 1984, before Raphael Maklouf’s portrait was introduced the following year.
The reverse carries Benedetto Pistrucci’s celebrated depiction of Saint George slaying the dragon, with the date beneath the scene. First introduced on the modern Sovereign in 1817, the composition links this issue to the denomination’s revival under George III. The proof finish brings the sculptural detail of the horse, rider and dragon into focus against polished fields.
Struck in 22 carat gold and containing 0.2354 troy ounces of fine gold, the 1980 Proof Sovereign maintains the traditional specification of the modern Sovereign. Its classic design pairing and PCGS PR69 DCAM certification make it a representative example of the Machin portrait era for a graded Sovereign collection.
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