Mary Gillick

1881–1965 · Sculptor; first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

British sculptor who designed the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for British coinage in 1953. Her "Young Head" portrait — Elizabeth wreathed and crowned with a laurel — became the face of pre-decimal Britain, used on every UK coin from 1953 to 1968. Gillick's gentle, classical portrait remains many collectors' favourite of the five Elizabeth II portraits.

Notable works

1953–1968 Elizabeth II portrait On every pre-decimal Elizabeth coin.
1953 Coronation crown Elizabeth on horseback in her coronation regalia.
Maundy money 1953–1968 Gillick's portrait on the silver Maundy fourpence, threepence, twopence and penny.

Catalogue work

Specific catalogue attribution for Mary Gillick is being added. Their notable works listed above include all the major coins associated with this designer.

Other UK coin designers

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