The 1838 Gold Sovereign - VictoriaThe 1838 sovereign was the first sovereign to be issued during the reign of Queen Victoria.
The reverse of the sovereign features the crowned shield of the Royal Arms, designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen. Collectors will know this coin as a 'Shield Back'.
Obverse is the portrait of Queen Victoria Young Head by William Wyon, RA.
The 1838 sovereign has a mintage of 2,718,694. The coin is very popular amongst sovereign collectors, with it being the first Victorian issue.
Proofs are rare. No mintmark means London mint.
Image credit: M J Hughes Coins
Mintage: 2,718,694 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint
Minted in 1838
Monarch/Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Category: Sovereigns. See more Gold Sovereign coins
and see which Gold Sovereign coins have the lowest mintage.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
List items on:
 | 1838 Shield Reverse Sovereign – First Year Victoria Young Head – Around EF £ 3,474.70 |
 | QUEEN VICTORIA 1838 GOLD SOVEREIGN AU53, First Small Young head / Date below £ 4,200.00 |
 | Rare 1838 Queen Victoria Shield Reverse Sovereign - Good Condition £ 2,709.70 |
 | 22ct Gold Half Sovereign Queen Victoria Young Head 1838 Low Mintage (ca) £ 2,351.68 |
 | 1838 Sovereign, Victoria young head, very rare year. £ 3,950.00 |
 | Queen Victoria 1838 gold sovereign £ 1,638.70 |
 | 1821 Gold Sovereign, George IV laureate head £ 1,488.80 |
 | 1901 Victoria Old ‘Veiled’ Head Australian 22ct Gold Full Sovereign £ 1,021.60 |
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