1884 Gold Sovereign « Victoria DEI GRATIA » with St George Back.

The sovereign 1884 is a British gold coin minted under the reign of Queen Victoria in London, also struck at the colonial Australian branch mints in Melbourne and Sydney. Almost 6 million gold sovereign coins were struck this year. The 1884 Queen Victoria “Young Head” with St George Back Gold Sovereigns, (originally a circulating coin, now a bullion coin) are now VAT free in UK and provided they were minted after 1817 and a legal tender coin, free from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. They also are VAT free in European Union, the sovereigns meeting the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 (special scheme for investment gold). The 1884 Young Head sovereign were also minted the Shield reverses.

1884 Great Britain Sovereign Gold Coin London Mint.

In the UK, these coins typically sell for 5-7% over spot, and in great condition, they can even command numismatic prices. Since there were no other mints, these coins don’t have a mint mark and are relatively common. In the US, generic sovereigns usually carry a premium of 3-6%.

Reverse: London Mint 1884 Great Britain Sovereign.

Obverse: London Mint 1884 Great Britain Sovereign.

1884 Great Britain Sovereign Gold Coin Sydney Mint.

Presenting the 1884-S Australia Gold Sovereign featuring Queen Victoria, certified by PCGS in Almost Uncirculated-55 (AU-55) condition. This piece offers a unique glimpse into the history of coin minting, with its slightly worn appearance telling a story of its journey. Although grading can sometimes be challenging, especially with coins like these where the dies were often recut due to wear, this sovereign remains a remarkable collector’s item.

Interestingly, when the obverse dies became worn, they weren’t simply discarded but were repurposed to mint farthings. All these coins were originally produced at the Royal Mint in London and then shipped to Australia over a span of 133 years. The natural wear, including slight erosion of facial details, scratches, dings, and pockmarks, adds character to this coin, reflecting its age and the miles it has traveled.

Though I may not be an expert in coin grading, from a layperson’s perspective and based on your video, it seems that this sovereign has endured more wear than some of its counterparts. This could explain the softer details and additional impacts on Queen Victoria’s portrait. Nonetheless, this piece remains a valuable and intriguing artifact, now available for purchase with confidence and free shipping through APMEX on eBay.

Reverse: Sydney Mint 1884 Australia Sovereign.

Obverse: Sydney Mint 1884 Australia Sovereign.

1884 Great Britain Sovereign Gold Coin Melbourne Mint.

Reverse: Melbourne Mint 1884 Australia Sovereign.

Obverse: Melbourne Mint 1884 Australia Sovereign.

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How to grade a Sovereign 1884.

A relatively flat design allows the young head obverse to show little wear. The mains point to check for strike & wear are :

• The hair juste on the double ribbon,
• The hair above the ear,
• The knotted bun area,
• The peaks of the eyebrow,
• As always, the rims and fields.

When collectors examine a sovereign with the St George reverse, there are a certain number of points which are examined closely for strike & wear. From top to bottom, they are:

• The crest of St George’s helmet;
• St George’s chest, together with the strap & pin fastening his cloak;
• The bridle as it crosses the horse’s neck;
• The muscle separation in St George’s upper thigh;
• The horse’s forequarters & rump;
• The “bloodline” in the sword;
• The upper band across St George’s boot;
• The dragon’s torso below it’s neck.