Vladimir Gottwald, now retired, was a member of the Royal Australian Mint's Design and Engraving Section.
His portrait, designed following the British Royal Mint's invitation for a new effigy in 1996, was among the three designs submitted to Her Majesty for approval. Although Rank-Broadley's design was eventually chosen, Gottwald's design was approved for a once only use to commemorate the Royal Visit in 2000.
This portrait depicts Her Majesty wearing the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" tiara (a wedding gift from Queen Mary in 1947) and the King Faisal of Saudi Arabia Necklace. With this minting, Vladimir Gottwald became the first Australian designer since Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal KCVO RA, who sculpted the 1910-1936 effigy of King George V, to have his work on the obverse of an Australian coin.