Veiled Head Victorian Sovereigns graded Fine to Very Fine in our choice of date.
What's The History Of Gold Sovereigns?
The history of the Sovereign starts in the time of the Tudor kings. The hammered gold coins first issued by Henry VII would later lend their prestigious name to a new coin, introduced in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars as part of a wholesale overhaul of British currency.
The first modern Sovereigns, struck in 1817, established specifications that have now been followed for two centuries. Each 'full' Sovereign is composed of 7.98 grams of 22 carat gold and has a diameter of 22.05 millimetres.
Gold Sovereigns all have a pure gold weight of 7.32 grams or 0.2354 troy ounces.
Once, Sovereigns circulated across the globe but minting ceased in the early twentieth century. Their enduring popularity inspired The Royal Mint to begin issuing new Sovereigns in the 1950s though the demand for older Sovereigns - including those struck in Victorian times - has never abated.
What Is Queen Victoria's Old Head Coinage?
Gold Sovereigns were minted throughout the long reign of Queen Victoria, in London and at branch mints across her Empire. These gold coins featured several different portraits charting her progress from young queen to ageing 'Grandmother of Europe'.
The final portrait to appear on Victoria's British coinage is known as the Old Head, Veiled Head or Widowed Head, adopted in 1893. It was created by the sculptor Sir Thomas Brock to replace the unpopular Jubilee Head. The most striking feature of the Old Head is perhaps Victoria's mourning veil which drapes gracefully over her shoulders. She was still wearing her widow's weeds in her final decade and they were, by then, integral to her public image. The portrait would be used on Sovereigns until her death in 1901.
The obverse legend includes Victoria's title of Empress of India and reads: 'VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·'. The artist's initials appear below the Queen's shoulder.
Brock's effigy is paired with an instantly recognisable design to the reverse: the image of St George in the act of slaying a dragon from horseback. This classic numismatic engraving of England's patron saint is the work of Italian artist Benedetto Pistrucci and can also be seen on many 20th and 21st century Sovereigns. The date appears below.
How To Buy A Widowed Head Sovereign?
Our best value Widowed Head Sovereigns are selected by us from our available stock. You may find coins dated 1893 to 1901 in your order. Some later Sovereigns were struck at branch mints with this portrait but the coins that we're offering are mainly British. If you're looking for a rare date example then it's worth browsing our other Victorian Sovereigns.
We carefully authenticate all our gold coins using our decades of expertise as well as XRF technology (which allows us to check the chemical composition of Sovereigns without damaging them).
Each of these Veiled Head Sovereigns is graded Fine (F) to Very Fine (VF) meaning that the fascinating portrait is intact though superficial scratches and signs of wear may be apparent. These will not impact the gold weight or the appeal of these circulated Victorian coins.
Investing In Historic Victorian Sovereigns
Gold Sovereigns are popular among investors and historic Sovereigns have a distinct appeal. Here's five reasons we recommend Widowed Head Sovereigns:
- Like all Sovereigns, these older coins are composed of 22 carat gold, offering the intrinsic security of precious metals as a means of storing wealth
- Each of these coins weighs 7.98 grams making them easy to store and their prices accessible to most buyers, particularly when compared to larger gold coins like Britannias and Krugerrands
- Widowed Head Sovereigns are free from VAT as investment gold in the UK and European Union
- As they're still technically legal tender in the UK, these old gold coins are also Capital Gains Tax exempt
- Lastly, the numismatic appeal and aesthetic beauty of these coins adds a collectible element and can give Old Head Sovereigns a value above bullion
How Valuable Are Old Head Gold Sovereigns?
There's significant variance in the value of Widowed Head Sovereigns.
High grade examples of gold coins - those in great condition - can command prices above the bullion value. Errors can also add to the price, as can the tiny mint mark letter, found on the ground beneath the dragon on the reverse. If you find an Old Head Sovereign dated 1899 with a 'P' to the reverse then you're in luck - Sovereigns minted in this year in Perth, Australia, are the rarest of this type.
The value of Old Head Sovereigns depends on their grade, their date, the mint and the current gold price.
Prices for Old Head Sovereigns from more common mints can vary in line with the gold price but - in the long term - you'll likely find that their value increases with the gold market.
Old Head Sovereigns With Free Delivery
The Britannia Coin Company is based in Royal Wootton Bassett in the beautiful county of Wiltshire. If you recognise the name it's probably because you remember the town's tribute to fallen soldiers, repatriated through nearby RAF Lyneham.
We post all our Widowed Head Sovereigns from our shop at 143 High Street in the centre of town (look for the Old Bank Antiques sign to find us). Our expert team will pick your coin from our available stock and securely and discretely package it for shipping.
Delivery to UK addresses is free and insured, regardless of the size of your order. We use Royal Mail Special Delivery for a next day service. We charge a flat rate of £15 for international orders though there are a short list of countries we cannot ship to: you can find those details on our delivery page.
How To Sell A Veiled Head Sovereign
If you're looking to sell a gold Widowed Head Sovereign we can help. We buy these coins and many more across our dedicated gold counter and can give you industry leading prices for everything from ancient gold to modern circulated 50ps while you wait. Visit our Sell Your Coins page for more information.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
