1872/1-M Queen Victoria Shield Reverse Sovereign - MARSH R4

Obverse : Young head of Victoria to left. Hair bound with double fillet and collected up into a Bun behind. Date below truncation with WW.(William Wyon) on truncation.

'M' Denoting Melbourne Mint on reverse below shield.

Reverse :The Ensigns Armorial within a plain shield and surmounted by a crown. A branch of laurel is shown on each side of the shield. At the bottom the Thistle, Rose and Shamrock are placed with a small flower stop each side.

The famous 1872/1 sovereign arose from a shipment of unused 1871 dies that had been aboard the RMS Rangoon. Following the vessel’s loss in the Red Sea, a number of dies were recovered and eventually reached the Melbourne Mint too late for the 1871 coinage. At least some were altered by overpunching the final digit with a '2', creating the celebrated 1872/1 variety.

Coin Specifications

Struck - Melbourne Mint Australia ('M')

Obverse by William Wyon

Marsh 59A R4; S.3856A

Year Mintage 1,916,424 including St George reverse

Struck in 22ct gold

Weight: 7.98g / Diameter: 22.05mm

Reverse Shield design by Jean Baptiste Merlen

Die Axis: ↑ ↓