2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£550.00
The 2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof was issued in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday and features the special portrait of Her Majesty created by sculptor James Butler for the 2016 Proof Sovereign collection.
Struck in traditional 22-carat gold, the individually presented Quarter Sovereign had an issue limit of 1,750 coins, with The Royal Mint recording 1,727 individual sales.
This example is certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo, the highest numerical Proof grade awarded by NGC. At the time of checking on 7 October 2026, the NGC Census records just 112 examples in PF70 Ultra Cameo with none graded higher, making PF70 Ultra Cameo the NGC Top Pop grade for this issue.
Description
2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
The 2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof was issued in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday and features the special portrait of Her Majesty created by British sculptor James Butler for the 2016 Proof Sovereign collection.
Struck in traditional 22-carat gold, the individually presented Quarter Sovereign had an issue limit of 1,750 coins, with The Royal Mint recording 1,727 individual sales.
This example is independently certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo, the highest numerical Proof grade awarded by NGC. At the time of checking on 7 October 2026, the NGC Census records just 112 examples in PF70 Ultra Cameo with none graded higher.
Why This Coin Stands Out
- Issued in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday
- Features the special James Butler portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
- Individual issue limit of just 1,750 coins
- 1,727 individual sales recorded by The Royal Mint
- Struck in traditional 22-carat / 916.7 gold
- Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
- NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 112 at the time of checking
- 0 graded higher – NGC Top Pop grade
- Classic St George and the Dragon reverse by Benedetto Pistrucci
- Official UK legal tender
Explore our wider range of certified Sovereign gold coins or our selection of certified Gold Proof coins.
Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday in 2016, becoming the first British monarch to reach the milestone.
The 2016 Proof Sovereign collection is particularly distinctive because it features a special portrait of Her Majesty by British sculptor James Butler.
The portrait depicts Queen Elizabeth II wearing the King George IV State Diadem and was created specifically for the 2016 Proof Sovereign collection.
This differentiates the 2016 Proof Sovereigns from standard circulating UK coinage of the period and gives the issue a direct connection to an important milestone in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Issue Limit & NGC Population
The individually presented 2016 Gold Proof Quarter Sovereign had an issue limit of 1,750 coins.
The Royal Mint’s published sales figures record:
1,727 individual Quarter Sovereign sales
Additional 2016 Proof Quarter Sovereigns were also included within Royal Mint multi-coin Proof sets, so the individual issue limit and individual sales figure should not be interpreted as the total number produced across all presentations.
At the time of checking on 7 October 2026, the NGC Census records:
- PF70 Ultra Cameo Population: 112
- Higher Grades: 0
- NGC Status: Top Pop grade
The Royal Mint issue figures and NGC population measure different things. The Royal Mint figures relate to the original release, while the NGC Census records coins subsequently submitted to and certified by NGC at a particular grade.
NGC population figures can change as additional coins are submitted for certification.
For more information about interpreting these figures, see our Coin Population vs Mintage guide and Coin Population Report guide.
NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
PF70 is the highest numerical Proof grade awarded by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). A coin graded 70 has no post-production imperfections visible at 5× magnification.
The Ultra Cameo designation identifies qualifying Proof coins displaying strong contrast between frosted design elements and deeply mirrored fields on both sides.
This example therefore combines NGC’s highest numerical Proof grade with its Ultra Cameo designation.
For more information, read our PF70 Ultra Cameo guide.
Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon
The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon, one of the defining designs of the modern Sovereign.
Originally created for the Sovereign introduced in 1817, Pistrucci’s composition depicts St George on horseback defeating the dragon and has become closely associated with the Sovereign family.
The combination of Pistrucci’s historic reverse and James Butler’s special 2016 portrait gives the Quarter Sovereign a distinctive pairing of traditional Sovereign design and a one-year commemorative portrait.
Traditional 22-Carat Sovereign Gold
The 2016 Quarter Sovereign is struck in traditional 22-carat / 916.7 fine gold, weighs approximately 1.997g and measures 13.50mm in diameter.
Its fine gold content is approximately 0.0589 troy ounces, representing one quarter of the fine gold content of a Full Sovereign.
As an official UK legal tender coin, qualifying gains made by UK individuals are generally exempt from UK Capital Gains Tax under current rules. Qualifying investment gold is also generally exempt from VAT in the UK.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and legislation can change. This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute personal tax advice.
Images & Presentation
The close-up obverse and reverse photographs shown on this page are images of the actual coin offered for sale.
Images showing the coin within an NGC holder are digitally generated representations created for presentation purposes. The appearance of the holder, label positioning and other presentation details may therefore differ from the generated slab images shown.
The coin offered is certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo as described on this page.
2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof Specifications
| Year | 2016 |
| Coin | Quarter Sovereign |
| Issuer | The Royal Mint |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Denomination | Quarter Sovereign |
| Metal | Gold |
| Fineness | 916.7 / 22 Carat |
| Weight | 1.997g |
| Fine Gold Content | Approx. 0.0589 Troy Ounces |
| Diameter | 13.50mm |
| Quality | Proof |
| Individual Issue Limit | 1,750 |
| Royal Mint Reported Individual Sales | 1,727 |
| Reverse | St George and the Dragon |
| Reverse Designer | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Obverse | Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Portrait |
| Obverse Designer | James Butler |
| Grading Company | NGC |
| Grade | PF70 Ultra Cameo |
| NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Population | 112 |
| Higher Grades | 0 |
| NGC Status | Top Pop Grade |
| Population Checked | 7 October 2026 |
| UK Legal Tender | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 2016 Quarter Sovereign significant?
The 2016 Gold Proof Quarter Sovereign was issued in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday and features the special portrait of Her Majesty created by sculptor James Butler for the 2016 Proof Sovereign collection.
What was the issue limit of the 2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof?
The individually presented coin had an issue limit of 1,750, with The Royal Mint recording 1,727 individual sales.
Additional examples were included within multi-coin Proof sets, so the individual issue limit should not be interpreted as the total number produced across all presentations.
What is the NGC population?
At the time of checking on 7 October 2026, the NGC Census records just 112 examples in PF70 Ultra Cameo with none graded higher, making PF70 Ultra Cameo the NGC Top Pop grade for this issue.
NGC population figures can change as additional coins are submitted for certification.
What does NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo mean?
PF70 is NGC’s highest numerical Proof grade. Ultra Cameo identifies qualifying Proof coins displaying strong contrast between frosted design elements and deeply mirrored fields.
Who designed the 2016 Quarter Sovereign?
The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s historic St George and the Dragon. The special Queen Elizabeth II portrait on the obverse was created by British sculptor James Butler.
How much gold does the 2016 Quarter Sovereign contain?
The coin is struck in 22-carat / 916.7 fine gold, weighs approximately 1.997g and contains approximately 0.0589 troy ounces of fine gold.
Is the 2016 Quarter Sovereign CGT exempt?
As UK legal tender, qualifying gains made by UK individuals are generally exempt from UK Capital Gains Tax under current rules.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and legislation can change.
Why Buy the 2016 Quarter Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo?
The 2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof combines several characteristics specific to this release:
- Issued in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday
- Special James Butler portrait created for the 2016 Proof Sovereign collection
- 1,750 individual issue limit
- 1,727 individual sales recorded by The Royal Mint
- Traditional 22-carat Sovereign gold
- Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
- NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo population of just 112 at the time of checking
- 0 graded higher
- NGC Top Pop grade
- Pistrucci’s historic St George and the Dragon reverse
The combination of the special 90th-birthday portrait, limited individual issue and PF70 Ultra Cameo certification distinguishes this coin from a conventional Quarter Sovereign release.
Ready to purchase the 2016 Quarter Sovereign Gold Proof NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo?
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Continue Your Research
- What Does PF70 Ultra Cameo Mean?
- What Is a Coin Population Report?
- Coin Population vs Mintage
- PCGS vs NGC
- Bullion vs Certified Coins
You can also browse our certified Sovereign gold coins, explore our certified Gold Proof coins or visit the Sterling Bullion Partners Knowledge Centre for more information about physical gold and professionally certified British coins.
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