First portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II (laureate bust) facing right, wearing a wreath. It was introduced in 1953, one year after the Queen acceded to the throne. It captures the grace and youth of the 26-year-old new Queen. Her hair is restrained by a laureate crown which is tied with ribbons at the back of her head. The Queen's shoulders are bare and the truncation follows the curve of the coin. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, generally faint, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust.

Obverse varieties reported with the L in Elizabeth either pointing to a dot or between dots

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA means Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen of all the Britains.

Engraver: Mary Gillick

Depicts a floral design, consisting of a rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, representing the four Home Nations.

FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Defender of the Faith.

Engravers: Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas