5 Sovereigns - Elizabeth II 5th portrait

The fifth portrait of Elizabeth II — sculpted by Jody Clark and adopted in 2015 — marked the first time in the modern era that a reigning monarch's effigy was updated by an in-house Royal Mint engraver rather than an external sculptor. Clark, then a relatively junior member of the design team, submitted his entry against established outside competition and won. The transition from the fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, used since 1998, was staggered across denominations.

The five-sovereign piece itself has no ancient precedent as a circulating coin — it is a bullion and proof investment vehicle, first introduced in 1980 to satisfy gold market demand.