1859 Ansell Gold Sovereign Fine aVF

In 1859, a shipment of gold coin alloy was rejected by the Royal Mint on the grounds that it was too brittle for use in striking coins. However, a metallurgist employed by the Royal Mint, one George Frederick Ansell, asked to be allowed to experiment with the gold in order to improve it and make it suitable for striking into coin.

Ansell Sovereigns

Ansell enjoyed considerable success in his efforts, and managed to make the alloy even tougher than that of a normal sovereign. Sovereigns struck from George Ansell's reworked gold alloy were apparently so tough, that they could not be broken by an ordinary man even when attacked with a pair of pliers (not that we would recommend trying to repeat this experiment with one!). George Ansell was rewarded for his work by a letter of thanks from the Mint Master and given a cash bonus of £100 (a considerable sum of money in those days).

An 'Ansell' sovereign struck from the reworked gold can be identified by an additional line which is visible in the rear hairband of the Queen's portrait, as seen in the photograph to the left.

Key Information

Product ID	10954
Stock Status	Out of Stock

Product Spec

Metal	Gold
Weight/Size	Full
Gold Weight Troy Ounces	0.2354
Fineness/Carat	0.917 / 22
Date	1859
Obverse Designer	William Wyon
Reverse Designer	Jean Baptiste Merlen
Issuing Monarch	Victoria (1837-1901)
Mint/Brand	The Royal Mint
Country	United Kingdom

Book an appointment

Book an appointment in London or Blackpool and let our precious metal experts assist you.

BOOK NOW

Delivery

Chards Coin and Bullion ships to all areas in the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands.

Please be advised delivery timeframes are reflective of in-stock orders where payment and any necessary identification or onboarding documents have been received.

Delivery Option	Est. Delivery Time
Standard Delivery	2-3 working days
Special Delivery	Next day (1 working day)

Collections

All orders are free to collect at our showrooms in Blackpool and Hatton Garden, London. To arrange a collection, please call us at 01253 343081 or book an appointment.

International Delivery

The responsibility lies with the buyer to pay duties and taxes to the local customs office. This includes any fees levied for parcels that are marked as returned to sender.

For more information on delivery and collections visit our information page.

Invest with Confidence • Invest with Chards

60 Years Experience

After sixty prosperous years, you can be reassured that you are dealing with a business that is here to stay.

Family Business

We pride ourselves in providing a level of service that's tailored to you, with care, attention and the highest ethical standards that a corporate body cannot always match.

LBMA Full Member

The LBMA govern the London Bullion Market, the world's largest precious metals market. As full members with global partners, we commit to secure and ethical transactions.

Fully Insured

Our specialist insurance through Lloyd's of London covers against any potential risks associated with orders, deliveries and our vaulting service giving customers peace of mind.

UK Showrooms

Strategically positioned in London's Hatton Garden and Blackpool's South Shore, our offices offer personalised, face-to-face consultations in two locations.

Auditing & Accounts

In partnership with Azets, a top 10 UK auditor, we provide third-party verification of our financials and vaulted assets to deliver exemplary customer confidence.

Precious metal investments are not regulated in the UK.
Investment values can fluctuate and may decrease as well as increase. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Pricing:
Prices are based on the current precious metal price and may change.
Payment and ID:
You may need to provide identification to make a purchase. You can find more information on payment and identification requirements.
Bullion Coins:
These may have minor scratches or edge knocks, but this does not affect their value. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.
VAT:
Investment gold products are VAT-free, while silver products include VAT.
Cancellations & Returns:
Once you place an order, you cannot cancel it. We do not currently accept returns, however. You may be able to sell your investment products back to Chards at the current buy back rate.

For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.