Information about effigy: Queen Victoria - Portrait by James Wyon (Fillet Head)

James Wyon (1804 – 1868) was William Wyon's cousin. He worked as William's assistant until becoming Resident Engraver at the Royal Mint following William's death in 1851. At first James was appointed on probation, but his position was made permanent in 1854 and continued, officially, until 1861.

James Wyon prepared the dies for an image of the young Queen Victoria for the Australian Sovereign and Half Sovereign of 1855 and 1856, minted in Sydney. The image was James's own design, and different from the more famous "young Victoria" portrait by William Wyon. It is believed this image was not used on any other coin.

The effigy features the head of Queen Victoria facing left, her hair plain and filleted - hence the popular short name of the portrait, "Fillet head".