The sovereign 1895 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 9 million gold sovereign coins were struck this year. The 1895 Queen Victoria “Veiled Head” 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).
| Mintmark | Mint | Mintage |
| L | London, United Kingdom | 2.285.317 |
| M | Melbourne, Australia | 4.165.869 |
| S | Sydney, Australia | 2.758.000 |
| Total sovereigns minted in 1895 | 9.209.186 |
| Diameter (mm) | Weight (gr) | Thickness (mm) |
| 22,05 mm | Gross weight: 7,99 Gr Fine Gold: 7,32 Gr – 0.2354 troy ounce. | 1,52 mm |
| Edge and Orientation. | Millesimal fineness. | Composition. |
| ➣ Reeded / Milled ➣ Medal alignment ↑↑ | 22 carats; 917 ‰ | 91.67% gold and 8.33% Copper. |
| Mint and Mintmark | Financial Features | Mintage. |
| « The Royal Mint » Australia mints. | Type: bullion coin. Production Years: 1817–present. Legal tender in the United Kingdom, value £1 = 20 shillings. | 1895 with 9.209.186 bullion coins. |
| Reverse : | Portrait by Joseph Edgar Boehm. Matte background with matte bust of Queen Victoria facing left, wearing the small imperial crown, a long veil falling behind her head. Legend VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D : Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith. |
| Obverse : | Matte background with relief of Saint George killing the dragon. 1895 BP. |
How to grade a Sovereign 1895.
Discerning collectors will do well to become familiar with the main points to examine when grading this obverse:
- 1. The fringe between the base of the crown and the top of the veil;
- 2. The leading edge of the veil (above, behind and below the ear), as well as the folds towards the back of Victoria’s head;
- 3. Victoria’s shoulder; and
- 4. The eyebrow and cheek; running from directly below Victoria’s eye to the top of her throat.
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 its neck.
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