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The coinage reform in the reign of George III made no provision for a quarter-sovereign, the denomination of five shillings being satisfactorily served by the large silver crown piece. By 1853, however, there was a perceived need for a more conveniently-sized coin of five shillings and, in initial trials, attractive little quarter-sovereigns were struck as pattern pieces. The quarter-sovereign pattern pieces of 1853 bore the lovely Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria while two different reverse designs were considered. The first reverse design features a Crowned Royal Shield of Arms with the text 'QUARTER SOVEREIGN 1853' around the edge. The second reverse design features the text of the proposed denomination and text in the center - 'FIVE SHILLINGS 1853' whilst a crown features at the top and a thistle, rose and clover features at the bottom of the reverse. The proposal was abandoned probably because the coin was so small it could far too easily be lost between a thumb and forefinger. There was also likely to be the problem that it would wear too fast in circulation as was indeed the case with the half sovereign. | ||||
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Coin Name | Reverse | Obverse | Details |
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Quarter Sovereign 1853 |
Material: Gold Mint: Royal Mint Mintage: unknown |
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Five Shillings 1853 |
Material: Gold Mint: Royal Mint Mintage: unknown |
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Country | United Kingdom |
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Currency | Pound Sterling (pre-decimal) |
From | 1853 |
To | 1853 |
Face Value | 1/4 (x Pound) |
Current | No |
Material | Gold |
Designer | |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Orientation | Medal Alignment (Axis 0) |
Size | 13.0000 mm |
Mass | 2.0810 g |
Buy Silver Bullion Online |
Image | Details |
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Gold 1/4 Sovereign, Great Britain, 1853
Copyright: American Numismatic Society / CC BY NC Notes: Quarter Sovereign (1853). Source |
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Gold 5 shillings, Great Britain, 1853
Copyright: American Numismatic Society / CC BY NC Notes: Five Shillings (1853). Source |
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Gold 1/4 Sovereign, Great Britain, 1853
Copyright: American Numismatic Society / CC BY NC Notes: Queen Victoria (1853). Source |