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Out of Stock
1859 Gold Half Sovereign Victoria Young Head Shield London
The 1859 gold half sovereign was the second half sovereign to be issued bearing the second (larger) young head portrait of the queen.
READ MORE£388.73
(VAT Exempt)
(VAT Exempt)
The 1859 gold half sovereign was the second half sovereign to be issued bearing the second (larger) young head portrait of the queen. The full sovereign had featured the second young head portrait of Queen Victoria since 1848. However, the half sovereign continued to be made with the first and smallest young head portrait of the queen until 1858.
See the rest of the 1859 Sovereign Collection.
The half sovereign was first introduced in 1544 during the reign of Henry VIII. Half sovereigns continued to be produced until 1604. At this point they were discontinued (as were gold sovereigns). The first reform coinage sovereigns and half sovereigns were minted in 1817 following the Coinage Act of 1816.
Obverse
Designed by William Wyon, Chief Engraver, the obverse features the second (large) young head portrait facing left of the young Queen at just 18 years old. This larger bust fills more of the area of the coin and shows Victoria's hair held by a double fillet and gathered into a loosely knotted bun.
The inscription reads
VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
and the date (1859) appears below the portrait.
Reverse
The reverse of the 1859 sovereign was designed by engraver, Jean Baptiste Merlen. It features the shield design, which is mounted by a crown. It also has a branch of laurel leaves on either side. The branches are tied, with a ribbon in a bow, below the shield.
Beneath this, the reverse displays the thistle, rose and shamrock (symbolising the unity of Scotland, England and Ireland) with a small flower stop on each side.
The inscription reads
BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:
completing the monarch's legend, which begins on the obverse.
Key Information
| Intrinsic Value | £274.33 |
| Product ID | 11604 |
| Stock Status | Out of Stock |
Product Spec
| Metal | Gold |
| Diameter | 19.3mm |
| Weight/Size | Half |
| Gold Weight Troy Ounces | 0.1177 |
| Fineness/Carat | 0.917 / 22 |
| Date | 1859 |
| Spink Reference | 3859A |
| Obverse Designer | William Wyon |
| Reverse Designer | Jean Baptiste Merlen |
| Issuing Monarch | Victoria (1837-1901) |
| Mint/Brand | The Royal Mint |
| Country | United Kingdom |
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BOOK NOWDelivery
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) |
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For more information on delivery and collections visit our information page.
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