The 1881 Gold Sovereign Melbourne Mint - Victoria Young Head, Shield ReverseGold 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
Mintage: 2,234,800 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Melbourne Mint
Minted in 1881. See Coins and Events of 1881
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: Australia
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 | 1884 M Melbourne Gold Full Sovereign Young Head Queen Victoria Shield £ 975.70 |
 | 1880 S Sydney Mint Gold Full Sovereign — Victoria Young Head Shield Back £ 930.00 |
 | RARE 1872 M Melbourne Victoria Young Head Shield Gold Sovereign 1st Year Mint £ 1,100.00 |
 | 1881 Melbourne Shield Reverse Sovereign - PCGS AU58 £ 1,530.46 |
 | 1881 QUEEN VICTORIA YOUNG HEAD FULL GOLD SOVEREIGN MELBOURNE M MINT £ 1,015.00 |
 | 1918 M George V Gold Full Sovereign - Melbourne Mint - 22.05mm Read Description £ 840.00 |
 | Rare 1838 Queen Victoria Shield Reverse Sovereign - Very Fair Condition £ 1,791.70 |
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