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1866 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Coin

1866 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Reverse

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1866 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Reverse
1866 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Obverse

Buy a 1866-S Sovereign

Collectable 1866 Sydney mint gold Sovereign (Marsh A371, Friedberg 10). The Sydney mint was opened in 1855 in the wake of the Australian gold rushes. The amount of unrefined precious metal circulating in the colony prompted the British government to open a branch of the Royal Mint. The early Sovereigns produced in New South Wales featured a uniquely Australian design. This 1866 issue displays the popular Banksia Head portrait of Queen Victoria, the native blossoms in her hair. The reverse prominently displays the denomination, an unusual feature rarely seen on Sovereigns. 2,911,000 22-carat gold Sovereigns were issued by the Sydney mint in 1866 and surviving examples are an important acquisition for serious Sovereign collectors.
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Description Specification Summary

Leonard Charles Wyon's Banksia Head

The obverse of this Australian gold Sovereign features Leonard Charles Wyon's Banksia Head portrait of Queen Victoria. She is shown with flowers in her hair and a plait looping below her ear. The date (1866) appears below, and the inscription reads 'VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D:'.

One Sovereign 1866 Australia Reverse

1866 Sydney Sovereigns are among a small number of these gold coins to display the denomination on the surface of the coin. They are inscribed 'ONE SOVEREIGN' below a design showing a laurel wreath with a crown and the word 'AUSTRALIA' inside. 'SYDNEY MINT' is displayed above.

Early Sydney Sovereign Specifications

Like their British counterparts, 1866 Sydney mint Sovereigns are struck in 22-carat gold to a specification established in 1817 when the first of these iconic gold coins were minted. Early Sydney Sovereigns like this one are known to be made from slightly finer gold, leading to them being favoured by traders.

Mintage Numbers For 1866 Sydney Sovereigns

2,911,000 gold 'full' Sovereigns were struck at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint in 1866. Sovereigns were also struck at the London mint in this year, but these coins are quite different in appearance.

Buying Historic Sydney Mint Sovereigns

It can be challenging to find early Sydney mint Sovereigns in high grade. Many of these coins, including the 1866-S issue, saw hard use after they were put into circulation. Regardless of condition, Sydney Sovereigns are sought-after by collectors, interested in a fascinating period of Australian history.

Browse the range: Sydney Mint Gold Sovereigns