The story of the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is perhaps best told by her official coinage portraits, a series of snapshots that chart her journey from a 25 year old woman thrust upon the throne to the dignified Head of State who celebrated her unique Platinum Jubilee just a few months before her passing.
It opens with the grace of Mary Gillick’s neo-classical portrait and continues with Arnold Machin’s 1968 effigy, adapted for British postage stamps to become the most reproduced image in history. Raphael Maklouf’s controversially stylised portrait followed in 1985 before Ian Rank-Broadley presented his contentiously realistic likeness of the Queen as she entered her seventies, in 1998.
The final chapter, by Jody Clark, was released to celebrate Her late Majesty becoming Britain’s longest reigning monarch in 2015. All five are now united in this unique set of 1oz gold proof coins, a strictly limited edition tribute to a truly remarkable lady.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1926-2022