South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 2008 - Britain's Oldest Reigning Monarch - Cupro Nickel

On 21 December 2007 Elizabeth II became the oldest reigning monarch surpassing Queen Victoria who died aged 81 years, seven months, four weeks and one day on 22 January 1901 and she surpassed George III five days earlier.  Queen Elizabeth, who celebrated her 82nd Birthday on April 21 2008, has even outlived her Great-great Grandmother Victoria.  To celebrate this momentous occasion Pobjoy Mint has struck a notable proof sterling silver collector's coin on behalf of the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

The design of this commemorative coin consists of the four most significant existing effigies of Queen Elizabeth II.  The effigies are layered in date order starting with a full profile of the current Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD effigy from 1998 until the present day and the earlier effigies layered behind as follows, the Raphael Maklouf effigy from 1985 until 1997, the Arnold Machin effigy from 1968 until 1984, and finally the Mary Gillick effigy from 1953 until 1967.  The wording ‘Oldest Reigning British Monarch’ appears in the surround of the design.

The design has been approved by Buckingham Palace and the obverse of each coin carries a fine effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD and is available in Uncirculated Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver, the proof version being struck four times to achieve the lustrous Pobjoy Proof finish.