Sovereign 1879 Shield, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Young head of Queen Victoria facing left wearing ribbon (double fillet) in her hair; the hair is collected up into a knot behind; around, the legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA (Victoria, by the Grace of God); the designer's initials W.W. (for William Wyon) are in relief on the neck truncation.

In the field below the neck truncation, the date 1879.

The Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom within a plain shield quartered with the arms of England (1 & 4), Scotland (2) and Ireland (3), surmounted by a crown. A branch of laurel is shown on each side of the shield, tied at the bottom by a ribbon. At the bottom, the Thistle, Rose and Shamrock (symbols of Scotland, England and Ireland respectively) are placed with a small flower stop on each side.

Around, the rest of the monarch's legend (continuing from the obverse): BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: (Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith).

The mint mark S (for Sydney Mint) is located between the ribbon beneath the shield and the rose. A few proofs exist minted by the Royal Mint in London, with no mint mark.

Note: the mintage listed is for both the St. George and the Shield reverse minted at Sydney Mint this year, as no separate figures are available.

Melbourne Mint only produced St George reverse sovereigns this year.

Type IB (Royal Mint) or ID (Sydney Mint) by Marsh.

References to additional information:

[Book] Remick, Jerome. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins, Regency Coins and Stamps Ltd, Winnipeg, Canada, 1971, p55
[Book] Marsh, Michael A. The Gold Sovereign. Cambridge Coins, Cambridge, UK, 1980. (2017 ed. pp 27-46)