The 1860 gold sovereign is the thirteenth 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 are six known variations of the 1860 sovereign:
-> the usual design (with WW incuse -stamped into coin)
-> an error where an O is cast over the C in VICTORIA
-> an error where the V in VICTORIA has been replaced by an upside down A
-> an error where instead of the two letter As in GRATIA, this sovereign features two inverted Vs, GRɅTIɅ
-> an error where the 1 in 1860 has been replaced incorrectly by a Roman letter I
-> an error where there is a large O in the date.
See the rest of the 1860 Sovereign Collection.
Photographs shown may not be the actual coin and may differ in terms of grade, die numbers, design flaws and other minor details.
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 (1860) appears below the portrait.
The reverse of the 1860 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.
Metal | Gold |
Weight / Size | Full |
Gold Weight Troy Ounces | 0.235 |
Fineness / Carat | 0.917 / 22 |
Mintage Figure | 2,555,958 |
Date | 1860 |
Spink Reference | 3852D |
Obverse Designer | William Wyon |
Reverse Designer | Jean Baptiste Merlen |
Issuing Monarch | Victoria (1837-1901) |
Mint / Brand | The Royal Mint |
Country | United Kingdom |
Obverse Grade | Reverse Grade | Price | Availability | |
---|---|---|---|---|
aVF | gVF | £944.00 | In Stock | |
gFine | VF | £854.00 | In Stock | |
gFine | aVF | £809.00 | Out Of Stock | |
Fine | VF | £944.00 | In Stock | |
Fine | gFine | £724.00 | In Stock | |
aVF | VF | £889.00 | In Stock | |
gFine | gFine | £724.00 | In Stock | |
aFine | aVF | £724.00 | In Stock | |
Fine | aVF | £774.00 | In Stock | |
Fine | gVF | £794.00 | In Stock |
Date | Obverse | Reverse | Price |
---|---|---|---|
11 July 2018 | gFine | aVF | £386.00 |
22 October 2018 | aVF | gVF | £492.70 |
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