Sovereign (Shield), Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Sovereign (Shield), Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1837 - 1887)
Coin TypeSovereign (Shield)

Starting in 1863, die numbers were introduced on the reverse of sovereigns (small numbers under the wreath). This was done to assist with production and quality control, and the practice continued on most London Mint sovereigns. About 100,000 coins were struck with a die before it was changed.

A specific die number does not increase the collector's value of a coin.

Composition: 0.9167 gold, 0.0833 copper.

Obverse

Effigy of the monarch, legend.
Obverse Inscription VICTORIA DEI GRATIA [year]
Reverse

The initial reverse type for gold coins was the shield and crown motif, supplemented on the sovereign with a heraldic wreath.
Reverse Inscription BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID : DEF :
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Mullett, William J. 1991. Gold Coinage and Refining at the Melbourne Mint.

Coin Type: Sovereign (Shield) - (48) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Sovereign 1837 Victoria unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1837
Sovereign 1838 2,718,694 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1838
Sovereign 1839 503,695 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1839
Sovereign 1841 124,054 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1841
Sovereign 1842 4,865,375 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1842
Sovereign 1843 5,981,968 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1843
Sovereign 1844 3,000,445 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1844
Sovereign 1845 3,800,845 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1845
Sovereign 1846 3,802,947 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1846
Sovereign 1847 4,667,126 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1847
Sovereign 1848 2,246,701 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1848
Sovereign 1849 1,755,399 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1849
Sovereign 1850 1,402,039 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1850
Sovereign 1851 4,013,624 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1851
Sovereign 1852 8,053,435 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1852
Sovereign 1853 10,597,993 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1853
Sovereign 1854 3,589,611 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1854
Sovereign 1855 8,448,482 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1855
Sovereign 1856 4,806,160 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1856
Sovereign 1857 4,495,748 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1857
Sovereign 1858 803,234 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1858
Sovereign 1859 1,715,142 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1859
Sovereign 1860 2,555,958 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1860
Sovereign 1861 7,624,736 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1861
Sovereign 1862 7,836,413 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1862
Sovereign 1863 5,921,669 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1863
Sovereign 1864 8,656,352 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1864
Sovereign 1865 1,450,238 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1865
Sovereign 1866 4,047,288 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1866
Sovereign 1868 1,653,384 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1868
Sovereign 1869 6,441,322 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1869
Sovereign 1870 2,189,960 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1870
Sovereign 1871 Shield 11,581,250 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1871
Sovereign 1872 Shield 16,049,708 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1872
Sovereign 1873 Shield 3,846,215 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1873
Sovereign 1874 Shield 1,893,713 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1874
Sovereign 1875 Shield 2,122,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1875
Sovereign 1877 Shield 1,590,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1877
Sovereign 1878 Shield 1,259,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1878
Sovereign 1879 Shield 1,366,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1879
Sovereign 1880 Shield 4,511,800 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1880
Sovereign 1881 Shield 3,684,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1881
Sovereign 1882 Shield 3,764,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1882
Sovereign 1883 Shield 1,535,450 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1883
Sovereign 1884 Shield 4,537,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1884
Sovereign 1885 Shield 4,442,500 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1885
Sovereign 1886 Shield 4,568,500 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1886
Sovereign 1887 Shield 2,915,000 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1887
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Sovereign (Shield): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Sub-type ofSovereign (Pre-Decimal)
From1837
To1887
Face Value1 (x Pound)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1971)
Material0.9167 Gold
DesignerJean Baptiste Merlen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size22.0500 mm
Thickness1.5200 mm
Mass7.9881 g
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Sovereign (Shield): Photos
ImageDetails
Sovereign (Shield): Photo Coin - Sovereign, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1843 Coin - Sovereign, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1843
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Crowned shield (1838 - 1887).
Source
Sovereign (Shield): Photo Coin - Sovereign, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1852 Coin - Sovereign, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1852
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Queen Victoria, "Young Head" portrait (1838 - 1887).
Source
Relevant Links
Royal Mint: The Sovereign Reverse Designs