Gold Sovereigns
1893 Royal Mint Gold Sovereign
22 Carat Gold
6,898,260
Sir Thomas Brock’s popular Veiled Head portrait captures many of the values so closely attributed to Queen Victoria and her Australian citizens of the dawn of the 20th century – dignity, steadfast loyalty and sacrifice are all qualities that come to mind when viewing an Australian sovereign struck between 1893 and 1901. Victoria’s reign was the longest in the history of the British royal family, we can be certain that the memory of her beauty and character would have been kept alive for many years by the coins struck bearing her portrait.
The Veiled Head sovereigns set spans two centuries, nine years, four mints and includes twenty-nine coins. This convenient number of coins makes a complete set well within the reach of all collectors, even those working on a modest budget over an extended period of time.
When Victoria’a subjects compared the Veiled Head portrait with the Jubilee design that it replaced, they regarded it as a far more appropriate and flattering image of Her Majesty. Victoria’s indomitable spirit, her unyielding loyalty to family and country are clearly conveyed in this most attractive and popular portrait. The number of sovereigns produced during this period, as well as the manner in which they were produced means that the Veiled Head sovereign has unique strike and wear properties.
When collectors examine a sovereign with the Veiled Head obverse, there are a certain number of points which are examined closely for strike & wear.
- The fringe between the base of the crown and the top of the veil;
- The folds towards the back of Victoria’s head;
- The leading edge of the veil above, behind and below the ear;
- The Queen's shoulder;
- The eyebrow running through her cheek to the top of her throat;
- The pendant and pearls on her not inconsiderable bosum, these are the best
indicator of a weak strike;
- As always, the rims and fields;
Specifications
Sources
| Composition: | 91.67% Gold 8.33% Copper |
| Gold Content: | 0.2354 oz |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Weight: | 7.9881 grams |
| Size: | 21.5 mm |
| Reverse: | Benedetto Pistrucci |
| Obverse: | Sir Thomas Brock |
| Chard Gold Sovereigns | Andrew Crellin of Sterling & Currency. |
The Sovereign Daniel Fearon & Brian Reeds 2001 Hilden Publications 17 Windmill Drive Croxley Green, Hertfordshire United Kingdom Token Publishing |
The Gold Sovereign Golden Jubilee Edition Michael A Marsh 2002 25A St Neots Rd Hardwick Cambrigeshire CB3 7QH United Kingdom |