Gold Sovereign “Victoria DEI GRATIA” 1901.

The sovereign 1901 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 11 million gold sovereign coins were struck this year. The 1901 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).

How to grade a Sovereign 1901.

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.

Description for the Gold Sovereign 1901.

Crafted by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, the portrait showed a Queen scowling with disapproval. Perhaps she was just concentrating as she appeared to be balancing the crown on her head.
This portrait drew much criticism, and only used the St George reverse, which incidentally, had a ribbon introduced to St Georges head. The Jubilee issue lasted until continued until 1893, when the encroachment of time again made it necessary to alter the portrait of the aging Queen.