1857 Gold Full Sovereign Victoria London Mint

The 1857 gold sovereign is the tenth date for the Queen Victoria "second head" shield sovereign. This second type of Victoria sovereign was issued from 1848 to 1872, has a slightly larger head in lower relief, and the reverse legends are repositioned. 

There is one main type of the of the 1857 sovereign, that is listed as Marsh 40, or Spink reference 3852D. Some slight variations exsist, see in 'more info.'

Mintage 4,495,748. Marshes rarity rating ; N, normal

See the rest of the 1857 Sovereign Collection.

There many be many mislettering or orther errors in exsistance so its always interesting to look for them! There are a few variations of the 1857 sovereign that have been found so far (Info from Marsh, Spink or London Coin Auction listings). 

• an error where the V in VICTORIA has been replaced by an inverted A
• a 1 over a lower 1 in the date 
• 7 over lower 7 in date
• 7 over 5 in date, 1857/5 
• unbarred A's, in effect inverted V's in VICTORIA
• C over T in VICTORIA
• A of VICTORIA struck over a lower A

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. 

Designed by William Wyon, Chief Engraver, the obverse features the second (large) young head portrait facing left of the young Queen at just 18 years old. This larger bust fills more of the area of the coin and shows Victoria's hair held by a double fillet and gathered into a loosely knotted bun. The initials W.W. are set incuse on the truncation. 

The inscription reads

VICTORIA DEI GRATIA

and the date (1857) appears below the portrait. 

The reverse of the 1857 sovereign was designed by engraver, Jean Baptiste Merlen. It features the shield design, which is mounted by a crown. It also has a branch of laurel leaves on either side. The branches are tied, with a ribbon in a bow, below the shield.

Beneath this, the reverse displays the thistle, rose and shamrock (symbolising the unity 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.