1968 Gold Sovereign Coin - Queen Elizabeth II
SKU: SOV1968 | Pre-Owned | Out of Stock
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Quantity
Each
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£956.55
£956.55
About this product
The 1968 Gold Sovereign is the last Sovereign to carry Mary Gillick's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and the final British Sovereign struck before decimalisation. The Royal Mint made 4,203,000 in 22 carat gold.
Each coin holds 7.32 grams of pure gold and is UK legal tender, so it's free from VAT and Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. We grade and test every coin before sending it.
Read more1968 Sovereign Specification
-
MaterialGold -
BrandThe Royal Mint -
SeriesGold Sovereign -
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II -
Denomination / SizeSovereign -
CountryUnited Kingdom -
VAT StatusExempt -
CGT StatusExempt
Product Description
The 1968 Sovereign closes the Gillick series that began in 1957. The Royal Mint struck 4,203,000 in London, and no more Sovereigns were made until 1974.
It was also the last Sovereign before Britain switched to decimal currency. When bullion Sovereigns returned in 1974, they carried a new portrait by Arnold Machin.
The last of the Gillick Sovereigns
Between 1957 and 1968, The Royal Mint struck more than 45 million Sovereigns with Mary Gillick's portrait. The 1968 is the final date, which gives it a special place in the series.
No proof Sovereigns, Half Sovereigns or sets were issued in 1968, so the bullion coin is the only version of this date.
Design of the 1968 Sovereign
- Obverse (front): Mary Gillick's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used here on a Sovereign for the last time.
- Inscription: ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F:D:, Latin for "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith".
- Reverse (back): Pistrucci's St George and the dragon, dated 1968.
1968 Sovereign specifications
- Weight: 7.98 grams
- Pure gold content: 7.32 grams (0.2354 troy oz)
- Purity: 22 carat (91.67% gold)
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Face value: £1
- Obverse: Mary Gillick's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
- Reverse: St George and the dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci
- Mintage: 4,203,000
Grading and packaging
We only offer 1968 Sovereigns graded Very Fine (VF) or better. They're pre-owned, so expect light signs of handling, but the details remain sharp.
We test each coin in-house before sale and send it in a clear coin flip. The photos show the type of coin you'll receive, so yours may vary slightly.
Building a date run? See the 1967 Gold Sovereign and the 1974 Gold Sovereign. If the date doesn't matter to you, our Best Value Pre-Owned Full Gold Sovereigns offer the lowest premium.
Delivery Information
Your coin travels by Royal Mail Special Delivery. It's tracked the whole way and insured for its full value.
We aim to send orders placed before 1pm, Monday to Friday, on the same day, as long as the coin is in stock. Each one is checked before dispatch.
Rather collect in person? Pick Click & Collect at checkout and there's no postage to pay. We'll email you when your order is ready at our Royal Wootton Bassett branch. Please bring a passport, driving licence or other official photo ID.
We take payment by UK debit card or bank transfer, not by credit card. Larger orders may need to be paid by bank transfer before we send them, and we'll contact you if so.
We don't ship outside the UK.
Investing Information
Exempt from VAT
UK rules treat Sovereigns as investment gold, so no VAT is charged. It makes no difference whether the coin is new or pre-owned.
Why there's no Capital Gains Tax
The 1968 Sovereign is legal tender, which makes it exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. Gains on selling it aren't taxed.
Recognised by dealers
With its known gold content and worldwide fame, the Sovereign is one of the most liquid gold coins you can own.
A note on advice
We can explain how gold is taxed, but we can't advise on your own circumstances. Please research carefully and seek professional advice before investing.
Product Specification
Attribute
Detail
Coin
Full Gold Sovereign
Year
1968
Type
Pre-Owned / Secondary Market
Weight
7.98 grams
Gold Content
7.32 grams (0.2354 troy oz)
Fineness
22 carat (91.67% pure)
Diameter
22.05 mm
Thickness
1.52 mm (approx)
Edge
Milled (108 grains)
Face Value
£1 GBP
Mintage
4,203,000
Obverse Designer
Mary Gillick
Reverse Designer
Benedetto Pistrucci
Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II
VAT Status
Exempt
CGT Status
Exempt
Mint
The Royal Mint (Tower Hill, London)
Condition
Pre-owned, Very Fine (VF) or better
Reference
Spink 4125, Marsh 306
Denomination Information
The Sovereign's beginnings
In 1817, following the Great Recoinage of 1816, Britain issued the first modern gold Sovereigns. Each was worth one pound, or 20 shillings.
An enduring design
St George and the dragon, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, has been linked with the Sovereign since 1817. The Royal Mint still uses it today.
The coin's standard
Since 1817, each full Sovereign has weighed 7.98 grams and contained 7.32 grams of pure gold. The portrait is updated for each reign.
Sovereigns left everyday use in Britain after the First World War began in 1914. The Royal Mint brought them back as bullion coins in 1957, with Mary Gillick's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II used until 1968.
The Sovereign today
Sovereigns are still made by The Royal Mint and remain UK legal tender. Their tax advantages keep them a favourite way to buy gold in the UK.
Got a Sovereign to sell? Check today's gold Sovereign value.
About Us
We grade and test every pre-owned coin ourselves before offering it for sale. Coins we can't confirm are genuine are never listed.
Since 2008, Gold Traders has built its name on precious metals expertise. Our testing equipment and experienced team make sure your coin matches your order.
Why buy from Gold Traders:
- Straight, competitive pricing
- Royal Mail delivery across the UK, insured for full value
- Local collection from our Royal Wootton Bassett office (photo ID and proof of address required)
Our reviews on Trustpilot, Google and FreeIndex reflect our service. We can't give personal financial advice, but our team is happy to help with questions about our coins and ordering.
Your questions answered
We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions. If there's something we haven't covered, please call us & we'll be happy to help. Read all FAQs.
We send every coin in a clear coin flip. It protects the coin from knocks and fingerprints.
We dispatch in-stock orders placed before 1pm on weekdays the same day, using insured and tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery.
The 1968 Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold and weighs 7.98 grams, giving 7.32 grams of pure gold, or 0.2354 of a troy ounce. At the live market price on 3rd October 2026, that's worth £734.73. A premium is added to reach our selling price.
No VAT is charged. The Sovereign meets the UK's investment gold rules, which makes it exempt from VAT.
Not if you're a UK resident. The Sovereign is UK legal tender, and gains on UK legal tender coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. We can't give personal tax advice, so speak to an adviser if you're unsure.
It's the last Sovereign with Mary Gillick's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the last British Sovereign struck before decimalisation. No more Sovereigns were made until 1974.
The Royal Mint struck 4,203,000 Sovereigns dated 1968. No proof Sovereigns, Half Sovereigns or sets were issued that year.
You can pay by UK debit card or bank transfer. We're not able to take credit cards, Amex, or business payment cards.
Walk-in purchases aren't possible, as all orders need to go through our website first for security and stock reasons. When ordering online, you can choose 'Click & Collect' at checkout to save on postage and pick your order up from our Royal Wootton Bassett branch. We'll email you as soon as it's ready, and you'll just need to bring photo ID with you. Payment is by UK debit card or bank transfer. We don't accept credit cards.
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