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GREAT BRITAIN, GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1817-2009, CIRCULATION ISSUES

Category:  World Coins
Owner:  TMS Coins
Last Modified:  6/5/2024
Set Description
GREAT BRITAIN, GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1817-2009, CIRCULATION ISSUES

The GOLD SOVEREIGN is one of Britain's famous coins. A coin full of history and emotional attachment which has become an icon of Britain itself. Synonymous with wealth and reliability the sovereign has played an important part in the nation's, and the world's history. The sovereign flourished alongside Britain's growing empire to become a coin of international status. Its fineness and accuracy is amongst the highest standards of any coins throughout the world.
Highly prized for its numismatic value, the sovereign is the favourite of coin collectors the world over.

The Royal Mint struck its first gold sovereign in 1489 during the reign of Henry VII. This coin became known as a "sovereign" because the obverse design depicted the King enthroned in regal splendour. It was the first gold coin produced with a value of one pound or twenty shillings, it was the largest coin yet issued in England and also the most beautiful. The modern sovereign, smaller and featuring on the obverse the monarch's head and on the reverse the classic St. George and the dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci, was introduced in 1817, during the reign of King George III (1760-1820), taking the form in which we know it today. The sovereign with the value of one pound or twenty shillings, was to replace the guinea, a coin introduced early in the reign of Charles II. As with the guinea the sovereign was struck in 22 carat gold. It has a diameter of 22 mm and a weight 7.988 g. Until the First World War, when it was superseded by paper money, the sovereign remained an every day coin used for every day commerce.

Gold sovereigns continued to be issued by the Royal Mint in London for the reigns of King George IV (1821-1830), King William IV (1831-1837), Queen Victoria (1838-1901), King Edward VII (1902-1910), and King George V (1911-1936).
After 1925 currency gold sovereigns were not issued by the Royal Mint until 1957 when the first currency sovereign was struck during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952-). Today the gold sovereign is still struck by the Royal Mint though as a collectors item.

Some 500 million sovereigns were struck by the Royal Mint but the bulk have been melted down and either recoined or converted into bullion bars. Approximately ten million sovereigns believed to exist, many in worn condition. Many others, exported to India and the Middle East, were pierced for bridal dowries. Elsewhere countless sovereigns have been mounted or converted into jewellery. Thus the number of sovereigns in collectable grades is possibly fewer than five million.
To put together a representative collection of sovereigns from 1817 to the present day, is a very difficult but challenging goal.

KING GEORGE III, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1817-1820

On 25 October 1760 King George II died and his grandson succeeded to the throne as George III. During his reign sovereigns were issued for every year from 1817 to 1820. These sovereigns, even the common dates, are becoming more difficult to find in really nice condition. The 1817 issue is the easiest for the collector to acquire. Without doubt the rarest coin in this series is that of 1819 and it is in fact the greatest rarity in the London sovereign series (R6 M.Marsh).

KING GEORGE IV, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1820-1830

King George IV succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father George III on 29 January 1820. During his reign there were to be two different designs of sovereigns, the "laurate head" and the "bare head".
The "laurate head" sovereigns were issued for every year from 1821 to 1825, and low grade coins for the more common years of 1821,1822 or 1824 can easily be found, however both the 1823 and 1825 are very rare dates (R3 M.Marsh).
The "bare head" sovereign was first introduced in 1825 and thus there are two different types of sovereign for this year. This type was struck until the end of the reign in 1830. The "bare head" sovereigns in general have become more difficult to find these days and only the year 1826 can be considered as easy to acquire. Four of the other sovereigns, 1825, 1827, 1829 and 1830 are all rated scarce. The 1828 sovereign is without doubt the rarest date of the series. It is the low mintage (386,182) of this coin that causes it to be rated R4.

KING WILLIAM IV, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1831-1837

King William IV succeeded his brother King George IV on 26 June 1830. During his reign two types of sovereigns have been recognised, the "First bust" and the "Second bust" and there are certain features that distinguish the difference between the two busts. The "First bust" sovereign was introduced in 1831 and also appeared in 1832. The "Second bust" was introduced in 1832 and further issued for every year, except 1834, up to and including 1837.
In general, sovereigns of King William seldom appear either in low or high grade. The 1831 sovereign is the rarest date of the series (R2/R5), although the 1836 variety with additional N above ANNO is also a rare date (R3). The rest are all rated scarce.

QUEEN VICTORIA, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1838-1901

Queen Victoria (1819-1901), began her reign upon the death of her uncle on 20 June 1837. She enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch so far. Many fine types and varieties of gold sovereigns were produced during Victoria's reign, with three main designs recognised: The "Young Head", the "Jubilee Head" and the "Old Head" (Veiled Head).
Regarding the "Young Head" design, with the young head of the Queen facing left on the obverse, two main types were produced, the "Shield Reverse" (1838-1874) and the "St. George Reverse" (1871-1885). The "Shield Reverse" sovereigns were devided in two main categories: The first "Without Die Number" (1838-1872) and the second "With Die Number" (1863-1874). Sovereigns from the "Shield" series are the most attractive of Victoria's reign and they present the collector a great difficulty, especially if he wants to acquire them in top condition; that even applies to coins which are rated common or normal. The "St. George" examples can be easily found, but without doubt the 1879 date is the rarest (R4 M.Marsh). This sovereign of which only 20,013 were struck, seldom appears, and even when it does it will be in low grade.
The "Jubilee Head " design was introduced in 1887, and this of course was the fiftieth anniversary of the Queen's accession. Sovereigns with this design were issued for every year until 1892 and will not present too many problems for the collector to find, except the high grade examples.
The "Veiled Head" design was introduced in 1893 and issues were struck yearly until 1901. These sovereigns also, in average grade, can be easily acquired by the collector.

KING EDWARD VII, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1902-1910

King Edward VII (1841-1910) began his reign upon the death of Queen Victoria in January 1901.
The first gold sovereign for Edward VII was struck in 1902, featuring the bust of the monarch on the obverse, and on the reverse the design of Saint George slaying the Dragon.
During Edward's reign, the Royal Mint continued to issue sovereigns yearly until 1910. All these issues will not present many problems for the collector, although he will still find some difficulty in obtaining really choice examples.

KING GEORGE V, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1911-1925

King George V (1865-1936) succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father King Edward VII in May 1910. Several million gold coins were struck during his reign but few would be used for currency. The main reason for this was the Great War of 1914-1918, and the outbreak of this in August 1914 quickly saw the Government issue Treasury notes for one pound and ten shillings. The public were urged not to use gold and by 1915 gold had all but dissappeared from circulation in London. The Royal Mint struck gold sovereigns during George V reign for the years 1911 up to 1917 and again in 1925, all featuring on the obverse the bust of the King facing left and on the reverse the design of St.George slaying the Dragon. From all these sovereigns the 1917 coin is by far the rarest and is seldom seen (R5). The 1916 date will perhaps prove a little difficult for most (R). The other dates, in average grade, present no problem for the collector to acquire.

KING GEORGE VI (1937-1952)

During this reign only proof gold sovereigns were struck by the Royal Mint as part of the four coin Coronation Proof Set (Mintage: 5001).

QUEEN ELIZABETH II, CURRENCY GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1957-DATE

Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926 and succeeded her father George VI after his death in 1952. To date we have seen five different busts of the Queen and all have been the work of excellent sculptors. The reverse for these five different issues all display Benedetto Pistrucci's St.George slaying the dragon. The first bust was introduced in 1953 and it was in fact a proof sovereign. The second bust issued in 1957 as a currency coin and continued to be issued until 1968. The third bust was issued again as a currency sovereign from 1974 to 1982. With the same third bust a series of proof sovereigns was issued from 1979 to 1984. In 1985 the fourth bust was introduced only as a proof issue and continued to be struck yearly until 1997. In 1998 the fifth bust was introduced again as a proof issue and continued to be issued yearly until today. With the same fifth bust in 2000, a bullion sovereign was issued and continued to be struck yearly until today.
In general Queen Elizabeth II sovereigns can be easily found in average grade, although some difficulty exists finding really choice examples.

REFERENCES:

THE GOLD SOVEREIGN, Jubilee Edition 2002, by Michael A. Marsh.
THE SOVEREIGN, A History and Price Guide, by Daniel Fearon and Brian Reeds.
COINS OF ENGLAND & THE UNITED KINGDOM, 47th Edition 2012, by SPINK.
THE COIN YEAR BOOK 2012, Edited by John W. Mussell.

Set Goals
GREAT BRITAIN, GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1817-2009, CIRCULATION ISSUES

Slot Name
Origin/Country
Item Description
Full Grade
Owner Comments
Pics
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1817 G.britain NGC MS 63 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE III 1817 SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 1; S 3784).

OBVERSE: Laureated head of King George III facing right. Date below.
REVERSE: The design of St. George with streamer flowing from helmet, mounted and slaying the Dragon with a spear.
ENGRAVERS: William Wyon and Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE:3,235,239.
RATING: N (M.Marsh). From King George III sovereigns the 1817 is the easiest date for the collector to acquire, but it is difficult for him to find really choice examples.

KING GEORGE III

The Reign of King George III (House of Hanover) 1760-1820.
Born: 4 June 1738.
Accession: 25 October 1760.
Married: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 8 September 1761 the day they met for the first time.
Coronation: Tuesday, 22 September 1761.
Children: nine sons, six daughters.
Died: 29 January 1820, aged 81

1817 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 63
NGC 1875725-006

A choice example of the very first date of the New Coinage sovereign.
Bright and beautiful with sharp strike and satiny luster.
ex Clark Smith Numismatists, San Rafael CA, USA, purchased 29 September 2011.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1821 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE IV (LAUREATE BUST) GOLD SOVEREIGN 1821
(Marsh 5; S 3800).

OBVERSE: The King's bust to the left, laureate, tye with loop at two ends, hair short and bare neck. B.P. in small letters below truncation standing for Benedetto Pistrucci.
REVERSE: St.George slaying the Dragon with sword. Date below the exergue line with the letters B.P. to the right.
ENGRAVER: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm
WEIGHT: 7.998g
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 9,405,114
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).

GEORGE IV, SOVEREIGN, 1821, FIRST TYPE.

The reign of King George IV marks the highly significant introduction of the classic design of St George slaying the dragon with a sword by Benedetto Pistrucci we are all familiar with today. Pistrucci’s depiction of the first bust of George IV is very Roman in its style with the King wearing a 13 leaf laurel wreath. Pistrucci’s initials are for a gold coin, significantly prominent on each side of the coin, whereas with his previous George III issue they were incuse and quite well hidden under the broken lance. The initials of the Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, who was instrumental in commissioning Pistrucci to the Mint in the first place, has his initials placed under the broken lance. The wwp appears quite squiggle-like and indistinct, and amazingly lasts in this position into the reign of George V over a hundred years later. These initials were on the Garter buckle on the reverse in the previous issue of George III. Other features of the first standard design for the currency Sovereigns of King George IV from 1821-1825 are an unusual style of lettering in the legend which reads georgius iiii d : g : britanniar: rex f: d:, each letter has an incuse central compartment upon its limbs ruled with raised horizontal lines. A new type of outer border is employed with fine raised teeth between an inner and outer concentric linear circle, giving quite a square indent between each tooth. The currency coins are struck with an inverted die axis as usual for this period, the figure of St George now brandishes a sword to slay the dragon, his helmet has a crested plume only, and the horse’s tail terminates in three strands. The broken lance with the initials beneath lies on the ground-line to the left, the date and b.p. initials are in the exergue below and the edge is straight grained milled. Calendar year mintage 9,405,114. Looking at this calendar year total, if we allow for Marsh’s estimate of 1,170,000 of these being 1820 dated coins of George III, then we must reduce this total to 8,235,114. It is interesting to note that the first type Sovereign of King George IV are the only sovereigns ever issued with decorative style lettering with “hatched” compartments.

KING GEORGE IV

The Reign of King George IV (House of Hanover) 1820-1830.
Born: 12 August 1762.
Accession: 29 January 1820.
Married: Caroline of Brunswick 8 April 1795, later separated and banned from attending the Coronation.
Coronation: Thursday, 19 July 1821.
Child: one daughter Charlotte who predeceased her Father 6 November 1817.
Died: 26 June 1830, aged 67.

1821 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64
NGC 2775472-001

Beautiful and bright with sharp details, booming luster and gorgeous deep gold toning.
ex Stacks Bowers Auction, April 2011, lot 10153.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1825 G.britain BARE BUST NGC MS 62 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE IV (BARE BUST) GOLD SOVEREIGN 1825
(Marsh 10; S 3801).

OBVERSE: Second bare head of King facing left. Date shown below truncation on field.
REVERSE: The Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom contained in a beautiful ornate shield surmounted by the royal crown.
ENGRAVERS: Obverse: William Wyon. Reverse: J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 4,200,343.
RATING: S (M.Marsh). The 1825 is one of the scarce dates of King George IV sovereigns, although is quite difficult to find an example in UNC condition.

GEORGE IV, SOVEREIGN, 1825, SECOND TYPE, BARE HEAD.

The second standard design for the currency Sovereigns of King George IV from 1825-1830 inclusive had an obverse designed by William Wyon based upon the sculpted model bust by Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1841). A marble bust that the King was particularly pleased with, and which was first used as an inspirational model for the coinage on the gold Two Pound piece of 1823 engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen shown here. The Second Type Obverse and Reverse of King George IV The former abbreviated legend used on the first type obverse, now appears across both sides of the second type coins and in a fuller form, on obverse georgius iv dei gratia and continuing on the reverse britanniarum rex fid: def: The lettering no longer has any decorative compartments. The reverse of the Sovereigns of this type, also engraved by Merlen, have a crowned quartered shield of arms, with an escutcheon of the Hanoverian Arms. The straight grained milled edge continues.

KING GEORGE IV

The Reign of King George IV (House of Hanover) : 1820-1830.
Born: 12 August 1762.
Accession: 29 January 1820.
Married: Caroline of Brunswick 8 April 1795, later separated and banned from attending the Coronation.
Coronation: Thursday, 19 July 1821.
Child: one daughter Charlotte who predeceased her Father 6 November 1817.
Died: 26 June 1830, aged 67.

1825 SECOND BARE BUST, GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 62

A nice example of this "bare head" type sovereign with good strike and original luster.
ex Clark Smith Numismatists, San Rafael CA, USA, purchased 21 April 2008.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1837 G.britain NGC MS 62 GT.BRITAIN, WILLIAM IV 1837 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 21; S 3829B).

OBVERSE: Bare head of King facing right, engraved by William Wyon (1795-1851).
REVERSE: Garnished shield modelled and engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen (1769-1850).
DIAMETER: 22.05 mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MINTAGE: 1,172,984
RATING: S (M.Marsh).

WILLIAM IV, SOVEREIGN, 1837, SECOND BARE HEAD.

The standard design for the currency Sovereigns of King William IV from 1830-1837 inclusive, was engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, and consists of two bare headed bust types and one standard reverse. Both bust types have the same legend reading GULIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR REX F: D: The first bust obverse has more finely engraved hair most noticeable on the top of his head and a more rounded ear. The position of the bust in relation to the legend dictates that his nose points to the second letter N in britanniar. The first bust obverse has border teeth that are quite fine and tall, and more in number when compared with obverse two. The second obverse has coarser hair, a flat top to the ear and the nose points to the second I in britanniar. The border teeth also differ from the first bust as the obverse teeth are of a coarser wide spread rendering, with less depth. The majority of the coinage of William IV Sovereigns, depict this obverse, including the very first pattern piece of 1830. It seems the demarcation of second bust relates really to its use ending with the reign in 1837, as the first bust type finishes first by 1832. The reverse teeth on the second bust obverse coins are similar to the first bust obverse ones, and are taller and finer than those on the obverse of the second bust coins. The reverses of William IV engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, always carry eight strings in the Irish harp with a diagonal line running through them depicting the rear of the bottom harp body. The inner arches of the crown above have thirteen pearls on each side, and five more run diagonally up each side of the central upright. There are nine varied jewels on the crown band. There is a short legend reading to the lower left anno and the date to the lower right. The edges are milled as usual. There was no issue in or dated 1834.

KING WILLIAM IV

The Reign of King William IV (House of Hanover) 1830-1837.
Born: 21 August 1765.
Accession: 26 June 1830.
Married: Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg and Meiningen, 11 July 1818 after first meeting a week before.
A double wedding with his brother, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent.
Coronation: Thursday, 8 September 1831.
Children: two daughters who both died in childhood, ten illegitimate children previously.
Died: 20 June 1837, aged 71.

1837 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 62

Beautiful and bright with honey-gold color.
Features a sharp strike on clear fields and original satiny luster.
NGC: Pop of six with only two grading higher.
ex Clark Smith Numismatists, San Rafael CA, USA, purchased 21 January 2010.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1843 G.britain BROAD SHIELD NGC AU 50 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1843 GOLD SOVEREIGN, Broad Shield (Marsh 26; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 5,981,968
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1844 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1844 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 27; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 3,000,445
RARITY: S (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1845 G.britain NGC AU 53 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1845 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 27; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 3,800,845
RARITY: S
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1847 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1847 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 30; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 4,667,126.
RARITY: S (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1849 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1849 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 32; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 1,755,399
RARITY: R (M.Marsh)
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1850 G.britain NGC AU 58 GT. BRITAIN, Victoria, Sovereign, 1850, second larger young head left, ponytail terminates in single curved strand of hair, date below, rev crowned quartered shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, 7.97g (Marsh 33 R; MCE 511; S 3852C). Calendar year mintage 1,402,039. With a relatively low calendar year mintage the 1850 Sovereign has always been considered a rare date in the series. Of course in the top grades, any Sovereign, even for a more common mintage, can be considered rare or even very rare.
The Second Larger Young Head type Sovereign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) Victoria Second Small Young Head Type Currency Sovereign.
From 1848 the size of Victoria’s young head bust increases to fill more of the available field and is therefore rendered closer to the legend lettering. This may have been an attempt to prolong the life of the dies, which are subjected to multiple tons of pressure in use. This second larger young head type sovereign was in use from 1848-1855 inclusive and is of the same general design as the previous smaller bust with the engravers initials w.w. raised with stops on the bust. The easiest way to tell the sizes of the bust, particularly when looking at the changeover year of 1848, is too look how close the front hair band fillet is to the legend as it is this point that differs most in the sizing of the busts. In 1853 there was a slight change on some dies produced and the engravers initials ww are incuse on the truncation without stops and this runs concurrently from 1853-1855 with the first type and then alone from 1856-1870 inclusive. From 1863 until 1874 the reverses of the shield type feature an additional “die” number below the shield.

GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young (small) Head (shield), Type A1 (without die number), 1850 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 33; S 3852).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 1,402,039
RARITY: R (M.Marsh)
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1851 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1851 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 34; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW in relief on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 4,013,624
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1852 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1852 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 35; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW in relief on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 8,053,435
RARITY: C (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1853 G.britain "W.W." INCUSED NGC AU 53 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1853 "W.W." INCUSED, (Marsh 36; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 10,597,993
RARITY: The rare variety of 1853, ( Incused ) .

1853 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W. Incused, AU53

A nice example of this rare variety.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1854 G.britain "W.W." INCUSED NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1854 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W." INCUSE, (Marsh 37; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW in relief on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 3,589,611
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).

1854 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W." RAISED, AU58.
NGC 2908354-002
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1854 G.britain "W.W." RAISED NGC AU 55 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1854 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W." RAISED, (Marsh 37; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW in relief on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 3,589,611
RARITY: R2

1854 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W." RAISED, AU55.

A very rare variety 1854 Sovereign.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1855 G.britain "W.W." INCUSED NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1855 "W.W." INCUSE, (Marsh 38; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 8,448,482
RARITY: C (M.Marsh).

1855 GOLD SOVEREIGN, "W.W. Incuse", AU58
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1856 G.britain NGC AU 58 GT. BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1856. (Marsh 39; Spink 3852D ).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 4,806,160
RARITY: N

Victoria gold Sovereign 1856 AU58 NGC, KM736.1, S-3852D.

A piece which shows light, even contact in line with its certification and a full cartwheel luster that greatly enhances the overall eye appeal.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1857 G.britain NGC AU 58 GT. BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1857. (Marsh 39; Spink 3852D ).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 4,495,748
RARITY: N

Victoria gold Sovereign 1857 AU58 NGC, KM736.1, S-3852D.
NGC : 6842065-006
Ex Heritage Auction # 61429, Lot # 23172, 3 June 2024.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1858 G.britain NGC AU 55 GT. BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1858. ( Marsh 39; Spink 3852D ).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 803,234
RARITY: R

Victoria gold Sovereign 1858 AU55
NGC 6382030-005
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1860 G.britain LARGE O NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1860 large O "W.W." INCUSED, (Marsh 43; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 2,555,958
RARITY: S (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1861 G.britain NGC MS 62 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1861 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 44; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 7,624,736. The Mint output for the calendar year is back up to higher levels and therefore statistically this dictates more variety than ever, which is apparent on date and legends for 1861 dated Sovereigns.
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1861.

From 1848 the size of Victoria’s young head bust increases to fill more of the available field and is therefore rendered closer to the legend lettering. This may have been an attempt to prolong the life of the dies, which are subjected to multiple tons of pressure in use, and as conjectured in the footnote for the previous lot after a Royal Mint Commission in this year investigated the die and matrix production. The Chief Engraver, William Wyon was called to give evidence on die production to this commission. This second larger young head type sovereign was in use from 1848-1855 inclusive and is of the same general design as the previous smaller bust with the engravers initials w.w. raised with stops on the bust. The easiest way to tell the sizes of the bust, particularly when looking at the changeover year of 1848, is too look how close the front hair band fillet is to the legend as it is this point that differs most in the sizing of the busts. In 1853 there was a slight change on some dies produced and the engravers initials ww are incuse on the truncation without stops and this runs concurrently from 1853-1855 with the first type and then alone from 1856-1870 inclusive. Strangely the 1853 proof has one stop between the letter W’s only on the truncation. From 1863 until 1874 the reverses of the shield type feature an additional “die” number below the shield.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1861 GOLD SOVEREIGN (SHIELD, without die number) MS 62

A strong example of this date with frosty luster and honey-gold color.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA. Purchased 23 July 2012.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1862 G.britain NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number),1862 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 45; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 7,836,413
RARITY: C (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1862
NGC 2908354-004.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1863 G.britain NO DIE NUMBER NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1863 "W.W." INCUSED, (Marsh 46; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 5,921,669
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1864 G.britain NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (with die number),1864 GOLD SOVEREIGN, (Marsh 49; S 3852D).

OBVERSE: Second larger Young head bust of the Queen facing left, WW incuse on truncation without stops, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished quartered shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 8,656,353
RARITY: C (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1864 AU58, Die # 32
NGC 6290238-020

Ebay Logicpapa 22 Nov. 2023
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1865 G.britain NGC MS 62 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head - Shield, Type A2, with die number, 1865 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 50; S 3853).

OBVERSE: Young head bust of the Queen facing left, engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom, engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 1,450,238
RARITY: S (M.Marsh)

1865 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 62

A glowing UNC, with a strong strike for the issue and blazing luster.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 23 January 2011.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1868 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head, Type A2 (with die number) 1868 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 52; S 3853).

OBVERSE: Young head bust of the Queen faving left, engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom, engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 1,653,384
RARITY: N

1868 GOLD SOVEREIGN AU 58

A " Douro Treasure " coin in excellent condition with good strike and considerable remaining luster.
"RMS Douro" sanked 1st April 1882 and coins recovered in July 1996.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 5 October 2010.



























View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1869 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head, Type A2 (with die number) 1869 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 53; S 3853).

OBVERSE: Young head bust of the Queen faving left, engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom, engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 6,441,332
RARITY: C

1869 GOLD SOVEREIGN AU 58

A "Douro Treasure" coin in excellent condition with good strike and considerable remaining luster.
"RMS Douro" sanked 1st April 1882 and coins recovered in July 1996.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 5 October 2010.

















View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1870 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE NGC AU 58 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head, Type A2 (with die number) 1870 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 54; S 3853).

OBVERSE: Young head bust of the Queen faving left, engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom, engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 2,189,960
RARITY: N

1870 GOLD SOVEREIGN AU 58

A "Douro Treasure" coin in excellent condition with good strike and considerable remaining luster.
"RMS Douro" sanked 1st April 1882 and coins recovered in July 1996.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 5 October 2010.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1871 G.britain ST.GEORGE NGC MS 64 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head - St.George, 1871 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 84; S 3856A).

OBVERSE: Young head bust of the Queen facing left, engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: St. George slaying the dragon with sword. Date below. Design by Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 8,767,250
RARITY: C (M.Marsh). Very common coin with a lot of examples in high grade.

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN (ST.GEORGE), 1871.

The Currency Sovereigns of Queen Victoria with St George and dragon reverse young head obverse most significantly no longer carries the date of the coin, which for the St George and dragon reverse after Pistrucci is always in the exergue on the reverse side. The obverse is therefore of a different design, though the rendering of the bust style is similar to that seen at the end of the die number series, well engraved with a complete hair “ponytail”. This obverse was no doubt engraved by the Chief Engraver Leonard Charles Wyon, the son of William Wyon, working in the style of his Father and still acknowledging his design of the young head with the initials upon the neck. In fact the main difference with this bust design is upon the neck, where two distinct renderings of the ww initials occur once again. The first type to appear is the raised ww “buried” in the truncation, where the truncation appears literally too thin to support the large characters, and they only partially appear and meet the field below. In some cases as on some of the proof 1871 strikings this raised ww appears to be cut over the top of another even more partial raised ww right on the bottom edge of the truncation. Why this should be so rendered is a little mysterious, but could be as simple as correcting a first attempt at placing the initials, or more intriguingly perhaps Leonard C Wyon was acknowledging himself along with his Father, the twin ww’ s literally one within the other. The second rendering of the raised ww complete on the truncation from 1880 is smaller and more neatly engraved. The legend is a longer and abbreviated one compared to the shield series and reads victoria d : g : britanniar : reg : f : d : the tip of the neck usually points downwards, though there is one proof 1871 Sovereign where it distinctly points outwards (to be revealed and sold in part three). The finely toothed outer border is within twin linear concentric circles and an outer raised rim both sides. The Sovereigns are struck with an inverted die axis and the reverse is as the 1821 design. The horse has a long tail with a three strand terminal, though this does vary later on. The horse tail length later in this series can be either short or long, and “spurs” of extra tail hair can appear below the top outside curve of the tail. The rendering of the dragon claws can also vary, at most it has four claws all attached on each foreleg. Sometimes one or two claws are detached and as dies start to wear they become more indistinct, being only a tiny detail on the coin. Sometimes the dragon has four claws on the left and three on the right, or three claws on each foreleg. St George himself can have a cloak with either a complete “hem-line” or sometimes it is partly broken and indistinct. The helmet streamer upon his head can also vary in its depiction. The wwp continues to appear in relief under the broken lance on the ground-line. The most significant variation on the reverse though is the b.p. initials in the upper right of the exergue, which can be either large or small, mostly small in currency. They can be all there, or sometimes with absent stops though this is likely due to die degradation. This becomes more evident in coins where the letters themselves also become very indistinct and only partially there, until we see the “no b.p.” varieties which again are likely due to blockages on the die, though there is a chance that one die may have had the initials left off at the design stage! The edges are always milled for currency as usual.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1871 GOLD SOVEREIGN (ST.GEORGE) MS 64

A choice example of this common sovereign.
Bright, with bold strike, clear surfaces and satiny luster.
NGC: Tied with thirty others as finest graded.
ex St.James's Auction # 18, 27 September 2011, lot 516.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1871 G.britain SHIELD NGC MS 64 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (Shield), Type A3 (with die number) 1871 GOLD SOVEREIGN.
(Marsh 55; S 3853B).

OBVERSE: Third Young head bust of the Queen facing left, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 8,767,250
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN (SHIELD), 1871 with die number.

The Third Young Head type of Queen Victoria. It has always been known that the truncation again differs from 1870 onward for the young head shield reverse design Sovereigns, and they are so referenced in the Spink Standard Catalogue as S.3853B. Marsh mentions the difference in his narrative as point number 3, but did not go as so far to tabulate or study it further. The raised w.w. actually runs to the very edge of the truncation and meets the field. Strangely for 1870 only, for five of the higher die number reverses from 112 upwards this new bust variation exists coupled with the ww initials incuse without stops, before a swift return for 1871 to the w.w. raised rendering. There is a change to the rendering of the hair which is very evident when comparing coins of the previous type and this “new” third head. The rendering of the hair in the large bun and the strands of hair nearest the letter G are of a different arrangement and the treatment of the ponytail below also differs. Coupled with the change of the ww initials on the neck, back to being punctuated and in relief on this truncation, it makes for a more significant variety than has previously been credited.

The Victorian Die Number Series of Gold Sovereigns 1863-1874 at the Royal Mint London.

From 1863 to 1874 inclusive, seemingly as a new drive for quality control, the Royal Mint in London added a tiny die number to the reverse die of gold Sovereigns. There were however no Sovereigns issued in, or dated 1867 in this time-frame. This die numbering occurred additionally on gold Half-Sovereigns from 1863 till 1880, and also in the silver coinage, on Shillings from 1864 till 1879, and Sixpences from 1864 till 1879. There is correlation in these denominations all being of a similar size and stature, which may mean similar minting presses being employed and perhaps worked by the same teams of operators. They were now seemingly subject to a stricter regime where work in production could be individually traced back to a worker on a given day. Equally the engravers with their apprentices in their respective department could also be traced from the tiny number on the die they had worked upon. Within the Mint itself in 1865 the vacant post (since 1862) of Resident Engraver is taken up by T J Minton.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1871 GOLD SOVEREIGN (SHIELD), with die number 30, MS 64

A very choice example of this common sovereign with bold strike, clean fields and satiny luster.
Purchased from Ebay 14 June 2012.

View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1872 G.britain SHIELD - NO DIE NUMBER NGC MS 63 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (Shield), Second (large) head (without die number) 1872 GOLD SOVEREIGN.
(Marsh 47; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Third Young head bust of the Queen facing left, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 13,486,708. These mintage figures include those of the Type 1B sovereign (with die number) of the same date.
RARITY: C (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, 1872 SOVEREIGN (SHIELD) WITHOUT DIE NUMBER, MS63.

Choice example of this Victoria Type 1 gold sovereign.
Purchased from ebay 21 October 2013.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1873 G.britain SHIELD NGC AU 53 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (Shield), Second (large) head (without die number) 1873 GOLD SOVEREIGN.
(Marsh 48; S 3852C).

OBVERSE: Third Young head bust of the Queen facing left, date below. Engraved by William Wyon.
REVERSE: Ornate garnished shield containing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. Engraved by J.B.Merlen.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
EDGE: Milled.
FINENESS: 22ct.
MINTAGE: 2,368,215.
RARITY: N (M.Marsh).

VICTORIA, 1873 SOVEREIGN (SHIELD) WITHOUT DIE NUMBER, AU53
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1887 G.britain JUBILEE HEAD NGC MS 65 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA, Jubilee head, 1887 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 125; S 3866B).

OBVERSE: The Jubilee bust of the Queen facing left wearing a small crown, veiled and with ribbon; top cross on crown meets border, j.e.b. fully on truncation, angled J.
REVERSE: The Pistrucci's design of St. George slaying the Dragon with sword; horse with short tail, date in exergue, tiny b.p. to upper right, all stops present,
DESIGNER: Joseph Edwar Boehm.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm
WEIGHT: 7.998g
FINENESS: 22 carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 1,111,280.
RARITY: N (M.Marsh)

1887 was the Jubilee year for the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession.

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1887.

Preparations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee of 1887 were underway years in advance. The Queen herself had first signified that she was willing for a change in portrait on the coinage as she had been most impressed by a portrait medal of her effigy by Mr Joseph Edgar Boehm RA (6 July 1834 - 12 December 1890) modelled from life. A large plaster model was prepared by Boehm in his studio, and from this metal copies were taken and then reduced for coinage. The first proposed coinage patterns appear from 1880 in base metals and silver, the Queen having sat for her portrait with Boehm in February of that year. The resulting currency coinage produced for 1887 included a commemorative gold Five Pound and Two Pound coin issued together for the first time since 1826. There were sets available in various guises officially for sale as proof or currency quality, with cases costing extra. The Jubilee coinage also marks for the first time in the British currency coinage the die axis being upright (en médaille). All die axes previously on coinage were of the inverted orientation and upright axis was reserved for medals or patterns. The obverse legend appears slightly more abbreviated than the last young head issue too. Apart from this, and the obvious bust change, the coinage is very similar to the previous young head St George type with a milled edge. The story of the gestation of the coinage was revealed in a series of Royal Mint correspondence, the elements of which have been published in the British Numismatic Journal by G P Dyer and Mark Stocker in 1984. What can be seen is that the resulting currency coins were received with mixed reaction from the public, much to the consternation of C W Fremantle, the Deputy Master of the Mint who had fully supported the design. The populous accepted the change in celebration of the Jubilee, but more seriously criticism of the design was given by critics at the Royal Academy for the way the crown appeared upon the Queen’s head, and the coinage was much discussed in Parliament. Comments ranged from such as “this toy crown” and “too small to be realistic,” as had the Queen turned or moved the crown would have tumbled from her head. More seriously, the Sixpence and Half-Sovereign coins being of similar dimensions and unfortunately of similar design, meant the Sixpences were quickly gilt by the unscrupulous and passed as gold coins. The Numismatic Society again were vocal about this, saying that the Mint had a precedent in 1821 when the Half Sovereign design had to be changed after one year as it was too similar to the sixpence. In 1887 the Sixpence became the withdrawn coin and the reverse design regressed to what it was before. The Numismatic Society and its President Sir John Evans, amongst others, continued to criticise the designs and the Jubilee portrait only lasted on British coins from 1887-1892 inclusive. Even the Queen herself had remarked on her displeasure of this coinage during 1888. In Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, the portrait continued briefly into 1893 on the gold coins. Boehm having died in 1890 was no longer around to see the change so soon after the Jubilee, and the criticism received may well have contributed to his demise, though he was kept very busy with his sculpture work.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1887 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 65

A true GEM with superb detailed strike, satiny luster and hardly any abrasions.
NGC Pop 7 (Nov.16 2013) with none grading higher.
Purchased from ebay 17 July 2012.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1887 G.britain JUBILEE HEAD EX: BENTLEY COLLECTION NGC MS 64 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA, Jubilee head, 1887 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 125; S 3866B).

OBVERSE: The Jubilee bust of the Queen facing left wearing a small crown, veiled and with ribbon; top cross on crown meets border, j.e.b. fully on truncation, angled J.
REVERSE: The Pistrucci's design of St. George slaying the Dragon with sword; horse with short tail, date in exergue, tiny b.p. to upper right, all stops present,
DESIGNER: Joseph Edwar Boehm.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm
WEIGHT: 7.998g
FINENESS: 22 carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 1,111,280.
RARITY: N (M.Marsh)

1887 was the Jubilee year for the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession.

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1887.

Preparations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee of 1887 were underway years in advance. The Queen herself had first signified that she was willing for a change in portrait on the coinage as she had been most impressed by a portrait medal of her effigy by Mr Joseph Edgar Boehm RA (6 July 1834 - 12 December 1890) modelled from life. A large plaster model was prepared by Boehm in his studio, and from this metal copies were taken and then reduced for coinage. The first proposed coinage patterns appear from 1880 in base metals and silver, the Queen having sat for her portrait with Boehm in February of that year. The resulting currency coinage produced for 1887 included a commemorative gold Five Pound and Two Pound coin issued together for the first time since 1826. There were sets available in various guises officially for sale as proof or currency quality, with cases costing extra. The Jubilee coinage also marks for the first time in the British currency coinage the die axis being upright (en médaille). All die axes previously on coinage were of the inverted orientation and upright axis was reserved for medals or patterns. The obverse legend appears slightly more abbreviated than the last young head issue too. Apart from this, and the obvious bust change, the coinage is very similar to the previous young head St George type with a milled edge. The story of the gestation of the coinage was revealed in a series of Royal Mint correspondence, the elements of which have been published in the British Numismatic Journal by G P Dyer and Mark Stocker in 1984. What can be seen is that the resulting currency coins were received with mixed reaction from the public, much to the consternation of C W Fremantle, the Deputy Master of the Mint who had fully supported the design. The populous accepted the change in celebration of the Jubilee, but more seriously criticism of the design was given by critics at the Royal Academy for the way the crown appeared upon the Queen’s head, and the coinage was much discussed in Parliament. Comments ranged from such as “this toy crown” and “too small to be realistic,” as had the Queen turned or moved the crown would have tumbled from her head. More seriously, the Sixpence and Half-Sovereign coins being of similar dimensions and unfortunately of similar design, meant the Sixpences were quickly gilt by the unscrupulous and passed as gold coins. The Numismatic Society again were vocal about this, saying that the Mint had a precedent in 1821 when the Half Sovereign design had to be changed after one year as it was too similar to the sixpence. In 1887 the Sixpence became the withdrawn coin and the reverse design regressed to what it was before. The Numismatic Society and its President Sir John Evans, amongst others, continued to criticise the designs and the Jubilee portrait only lasted on British coins from 1887-1892 inclusive. Even the Queen herself had remarked on her displeasure of this coinage during 1888. In Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, the portrait continued briefly into 1893 on the gold coins. Boehm having died in 1890 was no longer around to see the change so soon after the Jubilee, and the criticism received may well have contributed to his demise, though he was kept very busy with his sculpture work.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1887 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64
NGC 3504391-016

A choice mint state with superb detailed strike, satiny luster and hardly any abrasions.
ex BENTLEY COLLECTION
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1893 G.britain NGC MS 62 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Veiled Head, 1893 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 145; S 3874).

OBVERSE: Bust of the Queen facing left, crowned, veiled and draped, wearing ribbon and star of the Garter. The small letters T.B. appear below the bust.
REVERSE: St. George mounted with streamer flowing from helmet, slaying the dragon with sword. The date is shown below the exergue line with the small letters B.P. to right.
DESIGNER: Obverse: Thomas Brock. Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
FINENESS: 22ct.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 6,898,260
RARITY: C (M.Marsh)

The Last Coinage of Queen Victoria.

It was decided by a Royal Mint committee in February 1891 that the unpopular Jubilee portrait was no longer appropriate and something new was required. Fellows of the Royal Academy were called upon to submit ideas and designs, and the following made submissions:- Edward Onslow Ford ARA sculptor, Edward J Poynter RA painter, Henry N Armstead RA sculptor, Charles A Birch ARA sculptor, Thomas Brock RA sculptor, W Hamo Thornycroft RA sculptor. Interestingly Poynter had been one of the harsh critics of the Jubilee design, so now had a chance to literally prove how good a coin designer he himself was. However, Thomas Brock’s design won the day and the new older “widow” bust with heavy veil appeared for currency in 1893 to great acclaim. The design was engraved in metal from the designs by the Chief Engraver, George W De Saulles, who later went on to design the obverse for the King Edward VII coinage. Brock’s initials appear below the bust and the titles now significantly include the Empress of India and read thus victoria d:g: britt: reg: f: d: ind: imp: Again the coins are struck en médaille with an upright die axis and the St.George reverse continues effectively unchanged except in the smallest details, which can vary from die to die. The edges are of course milled.

The Reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover) 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1893 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 62

A beautiful coin with full strike and original luster.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1894 G.britain Ex CHESHIRE COLLECTION NGC MS 63 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Veiled Head, 1894 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 146; S 3874).

OBVERSE: Bust of the Queen facing left, crowned, veiled and draped, wearing ribbon and star of the Garter. The small letters T.B. appear below the bust.
REVERSE: St. George mounted with streamer flowing from helmet, slaying the dragon with sword. The date is shown below the exergue line with the small letters B.P. to right.
DESIGNER: Obverse: Thomas Brock. Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
FINENESS: 22ct.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 3,782,611
RARITY: C (M.Marsh)

The Last Coinage of Queen Victoria.

It was decided by a Royal Mint committee in February 1891 that the unpopular Jubilee portrait was no longer appropriate and something new was required. Fellows of the Royal Academy were called upon to submit ideas and designs, and the following made submissions:- Edward Onslow Ford ARA sculptor, Edward J Poynter RA painter, Henry N Armstead RA sculptor, Charles A Birch ARA sculptor, Thomas Brock RA sculptor, W Hamo Thornycroft RA sculptor. Interestingly Poynter had been one of the harsh critics of the Jubilee design, so now had a chance to literally prove how good a coin designer he himself was. However, Thomas Brock’s design won the day and the new older “widow” bust with heavy veil appeared for currency in 1893 to great acclaim. The design was engraved in metal from the designs by the Chief Engraver, George W De Saulles, who later went on to design the obverse for the King Edward VII coinage. Brock’s initials appear below the bust and the titles now significantly include the Empress of India and read thus victoria d:g: britt: reg: f: d: ind: imp: Again the coins are struck en médaille with an upright die axis and the St.George reverse continues effectively unchanged except in the smallest details, which can vary from die to die. The edges are of course milled.

The Reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover) 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1894 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 63

Choice UNC with full strike, clear surfaces and original luster.
Purchased from ebay 15 August 2011.
Pedigree: Cheshire Collection.
NGC: Pop of two with two grading higher (64).
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 1SOV 1900 G.britain Ex BENTLEY COLLECTION NGC MS 64 GT.BRITAIN, VICTORIA Veiled Head, 1900 GOLD SOVEREIGN
(Marsh 151; S 3874).

OBVERSE: Bust of the Queen facing left, crowned, veiled and draped, wearing ribbon and star of the Garter. The small letters T.B. appear below the bust.
REVERSE: St. George mounted with streamer flowing from helmet, slaying the dragon with sword. The date is shown below the exergue line with the small letters B.P. to right.
DESIGNER: Obverse: Thomas Brock. Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g.
FINENESS: 22ct.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 10,846,741; This output for 1900 represents the zenith of the old head coinage of Victoria.
RARITY: C (M.Marsh)

VICTORIA, SOVEREIGN, 1900.

The Last Coinage of Queen Victoria. It was decided by a Royal Mint committee in February 1891 that the unpopular Jubilee portrait was no longer appropriate and something new was required. Fellows of the Royal Academy were called upon to submit ideas and designs, and the following made submissions:- Edward Onslow Ford ARA sculptor, Edward J Poynter RA painter, Henry N Armstead RA sculptor, Charles A Birch ARA sculptor, Thomas Brock RA sculptor, W Hamo Thornycroft RA sculptor. Interestingly Poynter had been one of the harsh critics of the Jubilee design, so now had a chance to literally prove how good a coin designer he himself was. However, Thomas Brock’s design won the day and the new older “widow” bust with heavy veil appeared for currency in 1893 to great acclaim. The design was engraved in metal from the designs by the Chief Engraver, George W De Saulles, who later went on to design the obverse for the King Edward VII coinage. Brock’s initials appear below the bust and the titles now significantly include the Empress of India and read thus VICTORIA D: G: BRITT: REG: F: D: IND: IMP: Again the coins are struck en médaille with an upright die axis and the St George reverse continues effectively unchanged except in the smallest details, which can vary from die to die. The edges are of course milled.

QUEEN VICTORIA

The reign of Queen Victoria (House of Hanover): 1837-1901.
Born: 24 May 1819.
Accession: 20 June 1837.
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840.
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838.
Children: four sons, five daughters.
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81.

1900 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64
NGC 3504391-014

A very choice UNC example of the "Veiled Head" design.
Lovely satiny surfaces.
NGC population of three, none finer. Total graded for the date 87 (Nov.16 2013).
From the wonderful Bentley Collection, the best and most complete set of sovereigns ever formed.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1902 G.britain PCGS MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, EDWARD VII GOLD SOVEREIGN 1902
(Marsh 174; S 3969).

OBVERSE: Bare head of king facing right.
REVERSE: St. George and the dragon.
ENGRAVERS and DESIGNERS: WHJ Blakemore, George William De Saules (1862-1903), Benedetto Pistruchi (1784-1855).
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.988 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 4,737,796
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

EDWARD VII, SOVEREIGN, 1902.

The coinage of the reign of King Edward VII features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the right by George William De Saulles (4 February 1862 - 21 July 1903), who had been Chief Engraver since the death of Leonard Charles Wyon in 1892. De Saulles was authorised to execute new designs on 10 December 1901. His initials appear under the bust of the King and the titles now read EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continued, engraved after Pistrucci, still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint about 1820. The reverse design still carries the inner linear circle and fine square teeth as used from the Jubilee head issue of Victoria through to the last issues of her reign. The coins have a milled edge. De Saulles died suddenly in the Summer of 1903 after a short illness, at Chiswick whilst working upon and preparing models for the Great Seal of Edward VII which had to be executed by Frank Bowcher.

KING EDWARD VII

The Reign of King Edward VII (House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) : 1901-1910.
Born: 9 November 1841.
Accession: 22 January 1901.
Married: Alexandra of Denmark 10 March 1863.
Coronation: Saturday, 9 August 1902.
Children: three sons, three daughters.
Died: 6 May 1910, aged 68.

1902 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64

Superb grade for this low relief issue, with full luster and hardly any marks.
NGC Pop 3 with none grading higher.
PCGS Pop 3 with none grading higher.
ex Stacks & Bowers Auction, Sale # 168, 14 August 2012, lot 50161.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1904 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, EDWARD VII GOLD SOVEREIGN 1904
(Marsh 176; S 3969).

OBVERSE: Bare head of king facing right.
REVERSE: St. George and the dragon.
ENGRAVERS and DESIGNERS: WHJ Blakemore, George William De Saules (1862-1903), Benedetto Pistruchi (1784-1855).
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.988 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 10,041,369
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

EDWARD VII, SOVEREIGN, 1904.

The coinage of the reign of King Edward VII features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the right by George William De Saulles (4 February 1862 - 21 July 1903), who had been Chief Engraver since the death of Leonard Charles Wyon in 1892. De Saulles was authorised to execute new designs on 10 December 1901. His initials appear under the bust of the King and the titles now read EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continued, engraved after Pistrucci, still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint about 1820. The reverse design still carries the inner linear circle and fine square teeth as used from the Jubilee head issue of Victoria through to the last issues of her reign. The coins have a milled edge. De Saulles died suddenly in the Summer of 1903 after a short illness, at Chiswick whilst working upon and preparing models for the Great Seal of Edward VII which had to be executed by Frank Bowcher.

KING EDWARD VII

The Reign of King Edward VII (House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) : 1901-1910.
Born: 9 November 1841.
Accession: 22 January 1901.
Married: Alexandra of Denmark 10 March 1863.
Coronation: Saturday, 9 August 1902.
Children: three sons, three daughters.
Died: 6 May 1910, aged 68.

1904 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64

Superb grade for this low relief issue, with full luster and hardly any marks.
NGC Pop 1 with none grading higher. The single finest NGC and PCGS.
Purchased from GK Coins Ltd, Mayfair, London, 25 October 2012. Self submitted.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1909 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, EDWARD VII GOLD SOVEREIGN 1909
(Marsh 181; S 3969).

OBVERSE: Bare head of king facing right.
REVERSE: St. George and the dragon.
ENGRAVERS and DESIGNERS: WHJ Blakemore, George William De Saules (1862-1903), Benedetto Pistruchi (1784-1855).
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.988 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 12.157.099
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

EDWARD VII, SOVEREIGN, 1909.

The coinage of the reign of King Edward VII features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the right by George William De Saulles (4 February 1862 - 21 July 1903), who had been Chief Engraver since the death of Leonard Charles Wyon in 1892. De Saulles was authorised to execute new designs on 10 December 1901. His initials appear under the bust of the King and the titles now read EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continued, engraved after Pistrucci, still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint about 1820. The reverse design still carries the inner linear circle and fine square teeth as used from the Jubilee head issue of Victoria through to the last issues of her reign. The coins have a milled edge. De Saulles died suddenly in the Summer of 1903 after a short illness, at Chiswick whilst working upon and preparing models for the Great Seal of Edward VII which had to be executed by Frank Bowcher.

KING EDWARD VII

The Reign of King Edward VII (House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) : 1901-1910.
Born: 9 November 1841.
Accession: 22 January 1901.
Married: Alexandra of Denmark 10 March 1863.
Coronation: Saturday, 9 August 1902.
Children: three sons, three daughters.
Died: 6 May 1910, aged 68.

1909 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64

Choice UNC with sharp strike, clear surfaces and full original luster.
Pedigree: Cheshire Collection.
NGC: Tied with two others as finest graded.
Ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 18 January 2011.













View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1910 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, EDWARD VII GOLD SOVEREIGN 1910
(Marsh 182; S 3969).

OBVERSE: Bare head of king facing right.
REVERSE: St. George and the dragon.
ENGRAVERS and DESIGNERS: WHJ Blakemore, George William De Saules (1862-1903), Benedetto Pistruchi (1784-1855).
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.988 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 22,379,624
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

EDWARD VII, SOVEREIGN, 1910

The coinage of the reign of King Edward VII features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the right by George William De Saulles (4 February 1862 - 21 July 1903), who had been Chief Engraver since the death of Leonard Charles Wyon in 1892. De Saulles was authorised to execute new designs on 10 December 1901. His initials appear under the bust of the King and the titles now read EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continued, engraved after Pistrucci, still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint about 1820. The reverse design still carries the inner linear circle and fine square teeth as used from the Jubilee head issue of Victoria through to the last issues of her reign. The coins have a milled edge. De Saulles died suddenly in the Summer of 1903 after a short illness, at Chiswick whilst working upon and preparing models for the Great Seal of Edward VII which had to be executed by Frank Bowcher.

KING EDWARD VII

The Reign of King Edward VII (House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) : 1901-1910.
Born: 9 November 1841.
Accession: 22 January 1901.
Married: Alexandra of Denmark 10 March 1863.
Coronation: Saturday, 9 August 1902.
Children: three sons, three daughters.
Died: 6 May 1910, aged 68.

1910 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64
NGC 4659920-006

Choice UNC with sharp strike, clear surfaces and full satiny luster.
Ex Great Collections, California, USA, purchased 5 March 2018.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1911 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1911
(Marsh 213; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9987g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 30,044,105.
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1911

George V, Sovereign, 1911, bare head left, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, date in exergue, 7.99g (Marsh 213; MCE 639; S 3996). Calendar year mintage 30,044,105. Another record-breaking output year for the Mint appropriately for the first year of the new coinage of King George V. The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp : Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (House of Windsor) : 1910-1936.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911.
Second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar: Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1911 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64
NGC 957687-029

Choice mint state with beautiful gold color, detailed strike and flushy luster.
Purchased from ebay 4 October 2010.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1912 G.britain NGC MS 65 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1912
(Marsh 214; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9987g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 24,539,672.
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, GOLD SOVEREIGN, 1912

The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp : Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (House of Windsor) : 1910-1936.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911.
Second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar: Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1912 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 65
NGC 4327656-005

Ex St.James's Auction, Lot 264, 30 November 2016.
NGC: Tied with two others in this GEM grade.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1913 G.britain NGC MS 65 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1913
(Marsh 215; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9987g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 24,539,672.
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1913

The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp : Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (House of Windsor) : 1910-1936.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911.
Second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar: Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1913 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 65
NGC 3805009-041

Choice mint state with beautiful gold color, detailed strike and flushy luster.
NGC: Highest grade and the single finest.
Purchased from Heritage Auction #3042, Lot No.33551, 22 September 2015.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1914 G.britain EX BENTLEY COLLECTION NGC MS 65 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1914
(Marsh 216; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9887g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 11,501,117
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1914
ex THE BENTLEY COLLECTION OF BRITISH MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS.

George V, Sovereign, 1914, bare head left, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, date in exergue, 7.99g (Marsh 216; MCE 642; S 3996). Ex Randy Weir Numismatics, Unionville, Ontario, Canada, purchased 25 March 1992. Calendar year mintage 11,501,117. Mintage of gold still continued to be high even though World War I commenced during this year. Following the outbreak the Government issued Treasury banknotes to the value of Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns ,which were convertible to gold on demand at the Bank of England. However the public were encouraged not to do this, as the gold was no doubt needed elsewhere for purchases of vital supplies from overseas. The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp :. Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

George V’s reign witnessed the end of the sovereign’s life as a circulating coin. Gold in daily use had always been an expensive luxury but the demands of wartime finance during the First World War made a circulating gold coinage completely unfeasible. Within hours of the declaration of war in August 1914, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George, made it clear that anyone who was hoarding gold was helping the enemy more effectively than if they were taking up arms to fight against Britain. Instead of sovereigns and half-sovereigns, banknotes with a value of £1 and 10 shillings were issued for use and the public were encouraged to hand over their gold to aid the war effort.
KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (House of Windsor) : 1910-1936.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911.
Second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar: Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1914 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 65
NGC 2776090-002

A true GEM with excellent provenance. A beauty with satiny luster and a sharp strike. Common in XF and AU as one of the "kings sovereigns" but difficult to find with mint frost and such choice surfaces. Only a handful of sovereigns of this king have been graded above MS63 by each TPG company.
NGC Pop 5 with one grading higher.
ex BENTLEY COLLECTION. Purchased at A.H. BALDWIN Auction 73, 8 May 2012, lot 360. Self submitted.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1915 G.britain NGC MS 65 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1915
(Marsh 217; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9887g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 20,295,280

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1915

The very high mintage of this date marks the end of higher production of gold at the Mint as Great Britain strengthened its reserves for payments under the duress of war. Most of the Sovereigns will not have been used by the public. It is very interesting to note in the ten years from 1905 to 1915 Mint output was at its highest ever, and this total production was of a similar total of all the years from the Sovereign’s inception, in 1817 until the previous record production total in 1872, a full 55 years of production. The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp : Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (1910-1936) House of Windsor.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911, second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar, Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1915 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS65
NGC 3706904-010

A real GEM with satiny luster and strong strike.
ex Heritage Auction # 3026, October 1 2013.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1916 G.britain NGC MS 65 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1916
(Marsh 218; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998g ( 0.9170 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 1,014,714
RATING: R (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1916

Two years into war and still over one million Sovereigns were produced for the reserves of the Bank of England. Most of the 1916 issue and nearly all of the following 1917 issue were exported to America in lieu of payments. They were held probably at Fort Knox for many years until the USA passed the Gold Reserve Act at the time of the Great Depression in 1934, when all coin was converted to bars. The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles GEORGIVS V D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (House of Windsor) : 1910-1936.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911.
Second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar: Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1916 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 65
NGC 1914924-014

A true GEM with bold strike, perfect surfaces and satiny luster.
A rare quality for a rare date.
NGC: Pop 3 with none grading higher.
Ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 25 March 2012.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1925 G.britain NGC MS 66 GT. BRITAIN, GEORGE V GOLD SOVEREIGN 1925
(Marsh 220; S 3996).

OBVERSE: The King's bare head facing left. Designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
REVERSE: St. George mounted and slaying Dragon with sword. Date at the bottom with small letters B.P. to right.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.9887g ( 0.917 gold).
FINENESS: 22 Carat.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 4,406,431
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

GEORGE V, SOVEREIGN, 1925

George V, Sovereign, 1925, struck in the reign of George VI c.1949-1952, bare head left, B.M. recut on truncation, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, date in exergue, tiny B.P. very distinct to upper right, edge coarser milling with higher rims, 7.98g (Marsh 220; MCE 646; S 3996). Calendar year mintages: 1925=3,520,431; 1949=138,000; 1951=318,000; 1952=430,000 Total output dated 1925 = 4,406,431 When collectors started to collect the modern gold Sovereign just after World War II, the 1925 Sovereign was always a challenging coin to find, as its issue was for Bank of England gold reserves only. This, coupled with the Gold Standard Act of 1925 meant that the Treasury banknotes were no longer convertible to gold coin on demand, but the Bank was compelled to sell 400 ounce fine gold bars to any purchaser who asked for it at £3/17/10½d per ounce in legal tender money. This meant each bar would sell for £1560 and there was a demand as in 1929 and again in 1930 the Bank of England had to melt down a total of 91,350,000 Sovereigns from their stock, which no doubt included any 1916 or 1917 Sovereigns left and many other earlier dates or varieties. The reissue of 1925 dated Sovereigns in the reign of George VI occurred because of a need for more coins in the gold reserve of the Bank of England. George VI dies were perhaps not used as the only issues of Sovereigns for the reign were commemorative patterns with plain edges in 1937 and so had never been authorised for currency, hence the 1925 George V designs were used again. These later coins eventually started to find their way into the hands of collectors and any premium on 1925 dated coins as a great rarity was soon eradicated. The 1925 Sovereign as we have here has a high rim and recut initials on the truncation. If an original 1925 Sovereign could be found we would expect it to have a less prominent rim and shallower initials. King George V died 20 January 1936. King Edward VIII ruled from this accession day until abdication, 11 December 1936, having never been crowned.
The coinage of the reign of King George V features a bare head portrait of the King facing to the left by the Australian sculptor, Edgar Bertram Mackennal (12 June 1863 – 10 October 1931), whose initials appear on the truncation of the bust and with the titles georgivs v d: g: britt: omn: rex f : d : ind : imp : Mackennal was famed for his artistic sculptures, but became more numismatically interesting, as the designer of the Olympic Medals for the London Olympic Games of 1908. This led to the commission for the Coronation Medallion for King George V, and he then successfully won the commission for the coinage and for postage stamp portraits. One other Royal commission was to design the tomb for King Edward VII at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was also the first Australian citizen to be knighted, in 1921 and was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1922. For the Sovereign the classic St George and dragon design continues engraved, after Pistrucci with his initials in the exergue, and amazingly still featuring the tiny wwp under the lance for William Wellesley Pole from his days of the Master-ship of the Mint circa 1820. Had the London Mint continued to produce gold Sovereigns from 1928, like some of the Colonial Mints did, then a smaller portrait of George V would no doubt have appeared as at Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria. More significantly, the reverses of these Colonial small head pieces are revised and the wwp initials disappear at last.

KING GEORGE V

The Reign of King George V (1910-1936) House of Windsor.
Born: 3 June 1865.
Accession: 6 May 1910.
Married: Mary of Teck, 6 July 1893.
Coronation: Thursday, 22 June 1911, second Coronation as Emperor of India at the Delhi Durbar, Tuesday, 12 December 1911.
Children: Five sons, one daughter.
Died: 20 January 1936, aged 70.

1925 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 66
NGC 3393383-020

A true GEM with bold strike, perfect surfaces and satiny luster.
ex Northeast Numismatics, Concord MA, USA, purchased 24 October 2012.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1957 G.britain NGC MS 64 GT. BRITAIN, ELIZABETH II (Second Issue) GOLD SOVEREIGN 1957
(Marsh 297; S 4125).

OBVERSE: Bare head of the Queen facing right with tie at the back of hair, the letters M.G. incuse at the bottom.
REVERSE: St. George with streamer flowing from helmet mounted and slaying the Dragon with a sword.
DESIGNERS: Obverse: Mary Gillick. Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 2,072,000
RATING: C (M.Marsh).

1957 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 64

Solid and attractive example of this first sovereign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Bright, with good strike and full original luster.
View Coin   GREAT BRITAIN 1902-70 1SOV 1958 G.britain NGC MS 63 GT. BRITAIN, ELIZABETH II (Second Issue) GOLD SOVEREIGN 1958 (M.Marsh 298, S.4125).

OBVERSE: Bare head of the Queen facing right with tie at the back of hair, the letters M.G. incuse at the bottom.
REVERSE: St. George with streamer flowing from helmet mounted and slaying the Dragon with a sword.
DESIGNERS: Obverse: Mary Gillick. Reverse: Benedetto Pistrucci.
DIAMETER: 22.05mm.
WEIGHT: 7.998 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: 8,700,140
RATING:C (M.Marsh).

1958 GOLD SOVEREIGN MS 63

Beautiful and bright, with good strike on clear fields and satiny luster.
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