Yes, Queen Elizabeth II was featured on a wide array of coins throughout her remarkable reign, with her effigy appearing on currency not only in the United Kingdom but also across numerous Commonwealth realms.
A Legacy Cast in Metal
As the reigning monarch, it was customary for Queen Elizabeth II's portrait to appear on the coinage of the United Kingdom and many other nations. Throughout her extensive reign, five definitive coinage portraits of Queen Elizabeth II appeared on the coinage of the United Kingdom. New coins showing Her Majesty's first coinage portrait were issued in 1953, representing a fresh start following the Second World War, and announcing a new Elizabethan era. This tradition ensured that her image was one of the most widely recognized on currency globally.
The Five Definitive Coinage Portraits
Over her seven-decade reign, five distinct effigies of Queen Elizabeth II were officially used on UK coinage, each reflecting her age and the artistic styles of the time. These portraits were designed by different artists and introduced at various points, marking significant periods in her reign.
Here's a breakdown of the definitive portraits:
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First Definitive Portrait (1953-1967): The Young Head
- Artist: Mary Gillick
- Description: This youthful portrayal of Her Majesty, wearing a laurel wreath, marked the beginning of her reign and was featured on coins issued from her coronation year.
- Significance: Symbolized a fresh start and a new Elizabethan era after the Second World War.
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Second Definitive Portrait (1968-1984): The Machin Portrait
- Artist: Arnold Machin
- Description: Introduced with decimalisation in 1968, this portrait showed the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
- Impact: Became synonymous with the new decimal currency.
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Third Definitive Portrait (1985-1997): The Maklouf Portrait
- Artist: Raphael Maklouf
- Description: A more mature representation, depicting the Queen wearing the Royal Diadem. The relief was higher, giving the portrait a more sculpted feel.
- Feature: This portrait was designed to be timeless, avoiding specific adornments.
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Fourth Definitive Portrait (1998-2015): The Rank-Broadley Portrait
- Artist: Ian Rank-Broadley
- Description: This more realistic and less idealized portrait showed the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara once more, and was created for the Millennium.
- Detail: Noted for its strong, naturalistic depiction.
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Fifth Definitive Portrait (2015-2022): The Clark Portrait
- Artist: Jody Clark
- Description: The most recent effigy, portraying the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem. This portrait incorporated new minting technology.
- Context: It was the first effigy of the Queen to be designed by a Royal Mint engraver in over a century.
| Portrait Number | Artist | Years of Use (Approx.) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mary Gillick | 1953-1967 | Young Head, Laurel Wreath |
| 2nd | Arnold Machin | 1968-1984 | Decimalisation Era, Tiara |
| 3rd | Raphael Maklouf | 1985-1997 | More Mature, Royal Diadem |
| 4th | Ian Rank-Broadley | 1998-2015 | Realistic, Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara |
| 5th | Jody Clark | 2015-2022 | Modern, George IV State Diadem |
Significance and Collectibility
The numerous coins bearing Queen Elizabeth II's image are not merely legal tender; they are also significant historical artifacts and highly sought-after by collectors. Each portrait reflects a specific era of her reign, offering a tangible timeline of her historic tenure as monarch. The shift from one portrait to another often coincided with broader changes in British society and economic policy, such as the move to decimalisation.
For more detailed information on British coinage history, you can explore resources from official institutions like The Royal Mint or numismatic archives from the British Museum.
