The 1861 gold sovereign is the fourteenth 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.

If you order a 1861 sovereign from this page, then you will get the usual type of the 1861 sovereign. There are some variations which we have listed in the 'More Info' section. All types are listed under Spink reference number 3852D.

See the rest of the 1861 Sovereign Collection.

There are six known variations of the 1861 sovereign:

-> the usual design
-> an error where the 1 in 1861 is a Roman letter I
-> an error where there the C in VICTORIA is over a rotated C
-> an error where there is a T over V in VICTORIA
-> an error where the F is over a V in DEF and the date is narrow
-> an error where E is over a rotated E

Obverse

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 (1861) appears below the portrait.

Reverse

The reverse of the 1861 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.

Key Information

Product ID	6172
Stock Status	Out of Stock

Product Spec

Metal	Gold
Diameter	22.05mm
Weight/Size	Full
Gold Weight Troy Ounces	0.2354
Fineness/Carat	0.917 / 22
Date	1861
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

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