Information about effigy: Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin

Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin
Australia / Fifty Cents 1966 (round, silver)

Arnold Machin O.B.E., R.A. (30 September 1911 - 9 March 1999) was a British artist, sculptor, coin and stamp designer. He designed the first portrait of Her Majesty on decimal coinage for the British Royal Mint, approved in 1964. This portrait was adopted for the obverse design of Australia's new coinage to be released on C-Day, 14 February 1966 and preceded its first use on British coins in 1968.

According to the Royal Mint, "As part of the change [to decimal coinage], a new portrait of The Queen was adopted for the decimal coins. Designed by Arnold Machin RA, it had in fact been approved by The Queen as early as June 1964. Like Mary Gillick, Machin avoided the couped portrait - cut off by the neck - which had been usual on coins earlier in the century. The wreath, however, was replaced with the tiara which The Queen had been given as a wedding present from her grandmother, Queen Mary." The "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947, is also displayed on the Rank-Broadley and Gottwald portraits.

This effigy was used on coins in:
- Canada from 1965 to 1989
- Australia from 1966 to 1984
- New Zealand from 1967 to 1985
- United Kingdom from 1968 to 1984

In 1966 the Queen approved Machin's similar design for an effigy of her to be used on what came to be known as the "Machin series" of British definitive postage stamps. Machin produced a bas-relief in clay, which when combined with a different coloured background, is reminiscent of the overlaid decoration of potteries such as Wedgwood. The design was first used on the 4d value which was issued in June 1967, and has been used on all British definitive stamps (except more recent regional issues) ever since. It is thought that this design is the most reproduced work of art in history with, to date, approximately 320 billion copies produced.

In 2007 the Machin-designed stamp was still in use at its 40th anniversary and to mark the occasion, the Post Office issued a commemorative stamp featuring a photograph of Arnold Machin. It was also available for sale in a miniature sheet which incorporated another stamp with a reproduction of a Machin series stamp as well as two £1 Machins in different colours.

This "Second Portrait" of Queen Elizabeth II was superseded by Raphael David Maklouf's design in 1985.

Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin - Example/s on coins
Australia / Fifty Cents 1966 (round, silver)

Arnold Machin's Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on Australian coinage

Australia / Fifty Cents 1966 (round, silver)

Some countries of the British Commonwealth, such as Australia, adopted the new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II earlier than the United Kingdom did. In the case of Australia and New Zealand, this coincided with their introduction of decimal currency, so that the new currencies started with this portrait of the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin - showing 100 of 539 coins (Page 5 of 6)
Coin NameReverseObverseDetails
Twenty Cents 1981 New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1981 - reverse photo New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1981 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 7,500,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 7,543,000
Sovereign 1981 United Kingdom / Sovereign 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Sovereign 1981 - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,032,960
Five Pence 1981 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Five Pence 1981 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Five Pence 1981 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 100,300
Ten Pence 1981 United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1981 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,587,300
One Penny 1981 United Kingdom / One Penny 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / One Penny 1981 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 301,900,300
Two Pence 1981 United Kingdom / Two Pence 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Two Pence 1981 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 353,291,300
Fifty Pence 1981 United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1981 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 74,105,000
Five Sovereigns 1981 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Five Sovereigns 1981 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Five Sovereigns 1981 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,400
Royal Wedding Crown, 1981 United Kingdom / Royal Wedding Crown, 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Royal Wedding Crown, 1981 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 26,773,600
Half Penny 1981 United Kingdom / Half Penny 1981 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Half Penny 1981 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 46,848,300
Ten Dollars Silver 1982 XII Commonwealth Games Australia / Ten Dollars Silver 1982 XII Commonwealth Games - reverse photo Australia / Ten Dollars Silver 1982 XII Commonwealth Games - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 210,842
Ten Cents 1982 Australia / Ten Cents 1982 - reverse photo Australia / Ten Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 61,592,000
Two Hundred Dollars 1982 Australia / Two Hundred Dollars 1982 - reverse photo Australia / Two Hundred Dollars 1982 - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 107,238
Two Cents 1982 Australia / Two Cents 1982 - reverse photo Australia / Two Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Australian Mint: 81,300,000
- Perth Mint: 40,400,000
Total Mintage: 121,870,000
Five Cents 1982 Australia / Five Cents 1982 - reverse photo Australia / Five Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 139,568,000
Twenty Cents 1982 Australia / Twenty Cents 1982 - reverse photo Australia / Twenty Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 76,700,000
Fifty Cents 1982 XII Commonwealth Games Australia / Fifty Cents 1982 XII Commonwealth Games - reverse photo Australia / Fifty Cents 1982 XII Commonwealth Games - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 49,600,000
One Cent 1982 Australia / One Cent 1982 - reverse photo Australia / One Cent 1982 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 134,390,000
Twenty Cents 1982 Fiji / Twenty Cents 1982 - reverse photo Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,503,000
Ten Cents 1982 Fiji / Ten Cents 1982 - reverse photo Fiji / Ten Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,503,000
Fifty Cents 1982 Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,003,000
Five Cents 1982 Material:
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 2,703,000
Two Cents 1982 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 4,003,000
One Cent 1982 FAO Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,000,000
One Cent 1982 New Zealand / One Cent 1982 - reverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 10,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 10,043,000
Fifty Cents 1982 Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 6,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 6,043,000
Ten Cents 1982 New Zealand / Ten Cents 1982 - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 18,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 18,043,000
Twenty Cents 1982 New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1982 - reverse photo New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 17,500,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 17,543,000
Five Cents 1982 New Zealand / Five Cents 1982 - reverse photo New Zealand / Five Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 50,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 50,043,000
Two Cents 1982 New Zealand / Two Cents 1982 - reverse photo New Zealand / Two Cents 1982 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 50,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 50,043,000
Double Sovereign 1982 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 1982 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 1982 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,500
Ten Pence 1982 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 311,800
Five Pence 1982 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Five Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Five Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 311,800
Half Penny 1982 United Kingdom / Half Penny 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Half Penny 1982 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 191,063,800
Two Pence 1982 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Two Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Two Pence 1982 (mint sets only) - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 311,800
One Penny 1982 United Kingdom / One Penny 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / One Penny 1982 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 100,603,800
Twenty Pence 1982 United Kingdom / Twenty Pence 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Twenty Pence 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 741,126,800
Half Sovereign 1982 United Kingdom / Half Sovereign 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Half Sovereign 1982 - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,519,090
Five Sovereigns 1982 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Five Sovereigns 1982 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,500
Sovereign 1982 United Kingdom / Sovereign 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Sovereign 1982 - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,970,000
Fifty Pence 1982 United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1982 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1982 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 51,623,800
One Cent 1983 Australia / One Cent 1983 - reverse photo Australia / One Cent 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 205,705,000
Fifty Cents 1983 Australia / Fifty Cents 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Fifty Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 49,003,000
Ten Cents 1983 Australia / Ten Cents 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Ten Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 82,398,000
Twenty Cents 1983 Australia / Twenty Cents 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Twenty Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 55,193,000
Five Cents 1983 Australia / Five Cents 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Five Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 131,648,000
Two Cents 1983 Australia / Two Cents 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Two Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Australian Mint: 156,600,000
- Perth Mint: 20,700,000
Total Mintage: 177,307,000
Two Hundred Dollars 1983 Australia / Two Hundred Dollars 1983 - reverse photo Australia / Two Hundred Dollars 1983 - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 103,889
Two Cents 1983 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,003,000
Ten Cents 1983 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,006,000
One Cent 1983 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,003,000
Twenty Cents 1983 Fiji / Twenty Cents 1983 - reverse photo Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,006,000
Five Cents 1983 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,003,000
Fifty Cents 1983 Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 3,003,000
Platinum Ounce 1983 Noble Isle of Man / Platinum Ounce 1983 Noble - reverse photo Isle of Man / Platinum Ounce 1983 Noble - obverse photo Material: 0.9995 Platinum
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: 1,794
One Dollar 1983 Royal Visit Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Mintage: 57,000
One Cent 1983 New Zealand / One Cent 1983 - reverse photo New Zealand / One Cent 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 40,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 40,043,000
Fifty Cents 1983 (mint sets only) Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 43,000
One Dollar 1983 50 Years NZ Coinage New Zealand / One Dollar 1983 50 Years NZ Coinage - reverse photo New Zealand / One Dollar 1983 50 Years NZ Coinage - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Mintage: 100,000
Two Cents 1983 New Zealand / Two Cents 1983 - reverse photo New Zealand / Two Cents 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 15,000,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 15,043,000
Five Cents 1983 (mint sets only) New Zealand / Five Cents 1983 (mint sets only) - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 43,000
Twenty Cents 1983 New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1983 - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 2,500,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 2,543,000
Ten Cents 1983 (mint sets only) New Zealand / Ten Cents 1983 (mint sets only) - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 43,000
Five Pence 1983 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Five Pence 1983 (mint sets only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Five Pence 1983 (mint sets only) - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 744,900
One Pound 1983 Royal Arms United Kingdom / One Pound 1983 Royal Arms - reverse photo United Kingdom / One Pound 1983 Royal Arms - obverse photo Material: Nickel Brass
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 444,283,310
Double Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Double Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 13,000
Twenty Pence 1983 United Kingdom / Twenty Pence 1983 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Twenty Pence 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 159,207,800
Half Penny 1983 United Kingdom / Half Penny 1983 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Half Penny 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 8,344,900
Two Pence 1983 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Two Pence 1983 (mint sets only) - reverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 744,900
Fifty Pence 1983 United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1983 - reverse photo United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1983 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 63,569,804
One Penny 1983 United Kingdom / One Penny 1983 - reverse photo United Kingdom / One Penny 1983 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 243,746,900
Ten Pence 1983 (mint sets only) United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1983 (mint sets only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Ten Pence 1983 (mint sets only) - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 744,900
Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 21,250
Half Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) United Kingdom / Half Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Half Sovereign 1983 (Proof only) - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 19,710
One Dollar 1984 Australia / One Dollar 1984 - reverse photo Australia / One Dollar 1984 - obverse photo Material: Aluminium Bronze
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 186,144,000
Fifty Cents 1984 Australia / Fifty Cents 1984 - reverse photo Australia / Fifty Cents 1984 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 26,342,000
Five Cents 1984 Australia / Five Cents 1984 - reverse photo Australia / Five Cents 1984 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 43,500,000
One Cent 1984 Australia / One Cent 1984 - reverse photo Australia / One Cent 1984 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 74,796,000
Two Hundred Dollars 1984 Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 61,759
Two Cents 1984 Australia / Two Cents 1984 - reverse photo Australia / Two Cents 1984 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 58,024,000
Ten Cents 1984 Australia / Ten Cents 1984 - reverse photo Australia / Ten Cents 1984 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 25,789,000
Twenty Cents 1984 Australia / Twenty Cents 1984 - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Mintage: 27,881,000
Two Cents 1984 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,845,000
One Cent 1984 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,295,000
Fifty Cents 1984 Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,000,000
Five Cents 1984 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,005,000
Twenty Cents 1984 Fiji / Twenty Cents 1984 - reverse photo Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,005,000
Ten Cents 1984 Material:
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 5,000,000
Gold Quarter Ounce 1984 Angel Isle of Man / Gold Quarter Ounce 1984 Angel - reverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Platinum Ounce 1984 Noble Isle of Man / Platinum Ounce 1984 Noble - reverse photo Isle of Man / Platinum Ounce 1984 Noble - obverse photo Material: 0.9995 Platinum
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Gold Twentieth-Ounce 1984 Angel Isle of Man / Gold Twentieth-Ounce 1984 Angel - reverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Gold Ounce 1984 Angel Isle of Man / Gold Ounce 1984 Angel - reverse photo Isle of Man / Gold Ounce 1984 Angel - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Gold Half Ounce 1984 Angel Isle of Man / Gold Half Ounce 1984 Angel - reverse photo Isle of Man / Gold Half Ounce 1984 Angel - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Gold Tenth-Ounce 1984 Angel Isle of Man / Gold Tenth-Ounce 1984 Angel - reverse photo Isle of Man / Gold Tenth-Ounce 1984 Angel - obverse photo Material: 0.9167 Gold
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: 5,000
Platinum Half Ounce 1984 Noble Isle of Man / Platinum Half Ounce 1984 Noble - reverse photo Isle of Man / Platinum Half Ounce 1984 Noble - obverse photo Material: 0.9995 Platinum
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: 3,000
Platinum Tenth-Ounce 1984 Noble Isle of Man / Platinum Tenth-Ounce 1984 Noble - reverse photo Isle of Man / Platinum Tenth-Ounce 1984 Noble - obverse photo Material: 0.9995 Platinum
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Mintage: unknown
Twenty Cents 1984 New Zealand / Twenty Cents 1984 - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 1,500,000
- Royal Mint: 43,000
Total Mintage: 1,543,000
Fifty Cents 1984 New Zealand / Fifty Cents 1984 - reverse photo New Zealand / Fifty Cents 1984 - obverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 2,000,000
- Royal Mint: 40,000
Total Mintage: 2,040,000
One Cent 1984 New Zealand / One Cent 1984 - reverse photo New Zealand / One Cent 1984 - obverse photo Material: Bronze
Mints:
- Royal Canadian Mint: 30,000,000
- Royal Mint: 40,000
Total Mintage: 30,040,000
Five Cents 1984 (mint sets only) New Zealand / Five Cents 1984 (mint sets only) - reverse photo Material: CuproNickel
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 40,000
Showing 401 to 500 of 539 Coins.
Advertising
Buy American Gold Buffalo Coins
Buy American Gold Buffalo Coins
Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin: Details
Year1964
Personal InformationQueen Elizabeth II
Advertising (helps this site)
Buy coins at Amazon