1843 Gold Full Sovereign Victoria London Mint

The 1843 gold sovereign is one of the earliest dates of the Victoria shield sovereign.

It was only the fifth sovereign of Queen Victoria's reign as the sovereign wasn't issued in 1840.

See the rest of the 1843 Sovereign Collection.

Hammered gold coins called 'sovereigns' had been minted on and off between 1489-1604, whereupon James I (VI) changed the name of the 20/- gold piece to a 'Unite'. The reform coinage sovereign of 1817 onwards was issued as a normal circulation type coin, and also as a proof. 

In common with all the other dates of "first head" shield sovereigns from 1838 to 1848, the portrait is not only slightly smaller, but also in slightly higher relief. Trying to spot the differences in detail is quite difficult, but it is very easy to sort them "by sight", because once you get used to looking at the different variations, you should be able to recognise the first head instantly.

All of these early shields are now in strong demand, especially in top grades, and we are always interested in buying early shield sovereigns, indeed almost all sovereigns, in mint or near mint condition.

There is another (even rarer) design that was issued this year. It is very similar but the shield is narrower and the leaves of the floral emblems (below the shield) are arranged differently. A coin with this design on the reverse could be worth £5500.

The obverse features the first and smallest young head portrait of Queen Victoria facing left and wearing a double ribbon in her hair.

The inscription reads:

"VICTORIA DEI GRATIA"

and the date (1843) appears below the portrait. 

The reverse shows a new crowned shield design. It includes a branch of laurel at either side of the shield tied together at the bottom with a ribbon.  

Beneath this, the reverse displays the thistle, rose and shamrock (symbols of Scotland, England and Ireland) with a small flower stop on each side.

The inscription reads:

"BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:"

completing the monarch's legend, which begins on the obverse.