Set Goals
GREAT BRITAIN, QUEEN VICTORIA GOLD SOVEREIGNS 1838-1901, CIRCULATION ISSUES
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1843 G.britain BROAD SHIELD
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NGC AU 50
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1844 G.britain
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NGC AU 55
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1845 G.britain
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NGC AU 53
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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
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1847 G.britain
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NGC AU 55
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1849 G.britain
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NGC AU 55
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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)
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1850 G.britain
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NGC AU 58
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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)
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1851 G.britain
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NGC AU 55
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1852 G.britain
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NGC AU 55
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1853 G.britain "W.W." INCUSED
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NGC AU 53
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1854 G.britain "W.W." RAISED
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NGC AU 55
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1855 G.britain "W.W." INCUSED
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NGC AU Details
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GT. BRITAIN, VICTORIA Young Head (shield), Type A2 (without die number), GOLD SOVEREIGN 1855 "W.W." INCUSED, (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: 10,597,993
RARITY: The rare variety of 1853, ( Incused ) .
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1856 G.britain
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NGC AU 58
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1860 G.britain LARGE O
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NGC AU 58
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1861 G.britain
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NGC MS 62
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1863 G.britain NO DIE NUMBER
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NGC AU 58
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1865 G.britain
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NGC MS 62
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1868 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE
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NGC AU 58
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1869 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE
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NGC AU 58
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1870 G.britain Ex DOURO TREASURE
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NGC AU 58
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1871 G.britain SHIELD
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NGC MS 64
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1871 G.britain ST.GEORGE
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NGC MS 64
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1872 G.britain SHIELD - NO DIE NUMBER
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NGC MS 63
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1873 G.britain SHIELD
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NGC AU 53
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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
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1887 G.britain JUBILEE HEAD EX: BENTLEY COLLECTION
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NGC MS 64
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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
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1887 G.britain JUBILEE HEAD
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NGC MS 65
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1893 G.britain
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NGC MS 62
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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.
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1894 G.britain Ex CHESHIRE COLLECTION
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NGC MS 63
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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).
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GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901
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1SOV 1900 G.britain Ex BENTLEY COLLECTION
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NGC MS 64
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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.
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