1870 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Coin

Queen Victoria Banksia Head Portrait

Leonard Charles Wyon's Banksia Head portrait of Queen Victoria appears on the obverse of this Sydney mint Sovereign, taking its name from the native floral in the Queen's wreath. The date (1870) appears below, and the inscription reads 'VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D:'.

1870 Sydney Sovereign Reverse

This coin features the early reverse design used on Australian gold coins with the word 'AUSTRALIA' in the centre of a wreath with a crown above. 'SYDNEY MINT' is shown above with 'ONE SOVEREIGN' below.

Early Sydney Sovereign Specifications

Like their British counterparts, 1870 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.

1870-S Sovereign Mintage Figures

Records show that 1,220,00 gold 'full' Sovereigns were struck at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint in 1870. This was the final year in which Sovereigns were issued at this branch mint with a unique design. In the following year, Sydney mint issues were brought in line with their London mint counterparts.

Buying Historic Sydney Mint Sovereigns

High-grade examples of early Sydney mint Sovereigns like this 1864-S Sovereign are notoriously challenging to acquire due to harsh circulation conditions in the Australian colonies. Collectors appreciate these historic gold coins both for their scarcity and for their connection to Australian history.

Browse the range: Sydney Mint Gold Sovereigns