1889 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Second Legend Coin

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1889 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Second Legend Coin Obverse

Buy a 1889-S Sovereign

Collectable 1889 Jubilee Head gold Sovereigns from the Sydney mint (S 3868B, Marsh 104A, DISH S12). The Sydney mint opened in 1855 and struck gold Sovereigns until 1926. Initially, these 22-carat gold coins featured a uniquely Australian design, but their appearance was later brought in line with their London mint counterparts. Like all 1889 Sovereigns, these Syndey examples use the Saint George and the classic dragon design on the reverse. This is paired with Joseph Edgr Boehm's short-lived Jubilee head portrait of Queen Victoria. This type features the so-called second legend, which positions the inscription around the effigy closer to the Queen's crown. 3,164,140 Sovereigns of this type were struck in Sydney in 1889.

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Description Specification Summary

Second Legend Jubilee Head Portrait

The obverse of these 1889 coins features the Jubilee Head portrait of Queen Victoria, created by Joseph Edgar Boehm, together with an inscription that reads 'VICTORIA D: G: BRITT: REG: F: D:'. There are two variations to the way in which the legend is spaced, with the second positioning, 'REG:' closer to the crown.

Reverse: St George And The Dragon

The instantly recognisable Saint George and the dragon design appears on the reverse of these Sydney mint coins. Originally engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, it shows England's patron saint mounted on a rearing horse with the date (1889) below and the artist's initials on the right-hand side.

Sydney Sovereign Struck In 22-Carat Gold

Sovereigns are struck to a tight specification, established in the early 19th century. Minted from 22-carat gold, each of these coins weighs approximately 7.98 grams and measures 22.05 millimetres in diameter.

1889-S Sydney Sovereign Mintage Figures

The Sydney mint struck 3,164,140 gold 'full' Sovereigns in 1889, with the second legend obverse. A further 97,860 coins were reportedly issued by this branch mint with the scarcer first legend variation.

Collecting Jubilee Head Gold Sovereigns

Jubilee Head gold Sovereigns are highly collectable. Even though this effigy was only used for a short time, the number of variations is extensive, offering serious collectors a challenging and rewarding field of study.

Browse the range: Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Coins