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European Gold Jewelry Collection
British Sovereign, “Victoria Old Head” design
Featuring the revered “Mother of the British Empire”
British Sovereigns are the most popular and coveted gold coin in the world, and make superb jewelry.
Queen Victoria ruled England from 1838 to 1901, during the famous period in which “the sun never set on the British Empire.” Because of the length of her rule, British gold coinage was revised twice to reflect changes in her appearance. From 1838 to 1874, gold sovereigns featured the “Young Head” portrait of Victoria on the obverse, and a shield design on the reverse. From 1871 to 1885, the reverse was changed to feature the traditional image of King George slaying the Dragon. The next version of the Victoria sovereign featured the so-called “Jubilee Head” portrait, struck from 1887 to 1892.
From 1893 until Victoria’s death in 1901, British sovereigns featured what we call today the Victoria “Old Head” portrait. This image shows the mature Victoria, revered as the Mother of the British Empire.
Known as “the most trusted coins in the world,” British Sovereigns were included in the survival kits of American pilots during both World War II and Desert Storm.
Design Specifications
| Minted: |
1893-1901 |
| Weight: |
7.9881 Grams |
Size: |
22 mm, reeded edge. |
| Gold content: |
0.2354 Ounces |
| Composition: |
.917 Gold, .083 Copper |
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“Victoria Old Head” sovereign, obverse, in a rope bezel
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“Victoria Old Head” sovereign, reverse, in a plain bezel
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