1881 Gold Sovereign Melbourne – Shield

The 1881 Gold Sovereign Melbourne Mint - Victoria Young Head, Shield Reverse

Gold sovereigns from around this era probably have more varieties than most people realise. They can be made in London, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney and can also in the same year have combinations of St George or Shield backs.

On a finer scale the yound head can be large or small with hair variations; the horse can have a short, medium or long tail; and the engravers initials may or may not be present.

This is the Young Head Melbourne Sovereign with shield back. You can compare it with the 1881 Gold Sovereign Melbourne - St George.

The Reverse, by Jean B. Merlen, shows the Royal Coat of Arms inside a wreath. The small 'M' below the shield is a mint mark that indicates the coin has been minted at the Melbourne Mint, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Legend says BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:

The Edge is milled.

The Obverse, by William Wyon, shows a Young Head Queen Victoria facing left, plain band and fillet in her hair. Date below. Initial W.W. in raised letter set in trucation of neck. Legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA.

Image credit: Museums Victoria

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