| Victoria Sovereign "Young Head" "Shield Back" 1838-1887 |
| Victoria Sovereign "Jubilee Head" 1887-1893 |
| Victoria Sovereign "Old Head" 1893-1901 |
Courtesy of Tom Harrington
| Huseyin Sulo collection |
Courtesy of Chris Perkins
www.predecimal.com
www.predecimal.com
| The Victoria sovereign is one of the best known and most popular coins in the world. The "Young head" was designed and engraved by William Wyon. In 1871 onward the George and dragon reverse was being used. However the shield design was also minted until 1874 in London (1887 in Australia). Some Shield back Sovereigns (ones dated between 1863-1874) have a tiny number on the reverse below the shield and wreath, but above the floral emblem. These die numbers were used so that the mint could tell how many coins the dies produced before they needed to be replaced. The die numbers usually do not have an affect of the value of the coins although some collectors collect sixpences to complete a run of die numbers The "Jubilee head" designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm The "Old head" was and the reverse were designed by Sir Thomas Brock. The George and dragon reverse is a modified version of Benedetto Pistrucci's design. The Sovereign was also issued for use in Australia (Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney), and have a small M, P, or S mintmark. The Sovereigns produced in Britain have no mintmark. The mintmarks are positioned just below the bust of Victoria on the "Young head" Stype.shield or on the ground above the date on the George and dragon reverses. 1838-1901 Gold, 8 grams, 22mm Diameter. |
| VICTORIA SOVEREIGN 1838-1901 |
| Courtesy of Derek Allen |
| Victoria Sovereign "Young Head" 1871-1887 |
| Position of mintmark on the "young head" Sovereign shown in the red circle |
| Courtesy of Derek Allen |
| Position of William Wyon's initials and the die number on the "young head" "shield back" Sovereign shown in the red circle's. |
| Courtesy of Sergey www.deigratiacoins.com |
Position Of Designers Initials and Die Numbers
| Position of Benedetto Pistrucci initials B.P. on the George & Dragon reverse Sovereigns shown in the red circle's. |
| Position of mint mark on "shield back" Sovereigns shown in the red circle's. Sovereigns minted in London show a die number instead. This example displays an S for Sydney mint. |
| Position of mintmark of Victoria George & Dragon reverse Sovereigns shown in the red circle's. This examaple has an S for Sydney mint. |
Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Huseyin Sulo Collection
Position Of Mintmarks
