Owner Comments:
GT. BRITAIN, VICTORIA, Young head Type A5, 1880 GOLD HALF-SOVEREIGN, in very low relief with die number. (S3860F). KM735.2. Die #103.
OBVERSE: Young head of Victoria facing left.
REVERSE: The Ensigns Armorial within a garnished shield surmounted by a crown.
Die number below shield. No dot.
DIAMETER: 19.4 mm.
WEIGHT: 3.994 g.
FINENESS: 22 carat.
MILLESIMAL FINENESS: 916.66.
EDGE: Milled.
MINTAGE: Not known
RATING: R (M.Marsh).
1880 GOLD HALF-SOVEREIGN MS63
Highly satiny and carefully handled for the issue, with blooming golden luster that rolls over the fields upon a turn of the wrist to illuminate minimally marked surfaces. This date-variety proves difficult to procure in finer grades, and currently ranks as the second-finest in NGC's census, with only a single MS64 certifying above.
Ex Heritage Auction # 3093, 29 October 2021.