Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
A British 22-karat gold sovereign coin dated 1958 featuring the first effigy portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick. The reverse displays Benedetto Pistrucci's classic motif of St. George and the Dragon, set into a gold pendant bezel with a bail for wear on a chain.
Story
In 1957, Britain resumed minting gold sovereigns after a lengthy hiatus to combat overseas counterfeiting. This 1958 coin captures a young Queen Elizabeth II at the dawn of her record-breaking seven-decade reign.
Maker / Origin
The portrait on the obverse was sculpted by artist Mary Gillick, whose uncrowned, laurel-wreathed design captured the optimism of a new Elizabethan era. The iconic reverse was designed by Italian gem engraver Benedetto Pistrucci in 1817 for King George III and remains the gold standard of British numismatics.
Condition & Value
The coin shows light surface contact marks and handling wear consistent with jewelry use, but the details in the hair and St. George design remain sharp. Mounting in a bezel typically caps numismatic grade to bullion/jewelry value rather than mint-state collector value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.