The 1855-70 Sydney Mint Sovereign Collection is one of the most important elements of Australian coinage. This collection features Australia’s first sovereigns, struck at Australia’s first official mint – a true piece of Gold Rush history! All 15 coins are seldom offered as a collection, making this opportunity critical.

Australia’s First Sovereigns

The Sydney branch of the Royal Mint sprang into life as a consequence of the Gold Rush. It struck its first sovereigns in 1855, coins that would become the first of a two-year-only type, known as ‘Type I’. 

‘Type I’ sovereigns were only struck in 1855 and 1856, and featured the obverse portrait of Queen Victoria by James Wyon. A new type of sovereign – ‘Type II’ – was issued from 1857, with a portrait of the queen by James’ cousin, Leonard Wyon. Both types bear the most distinctive reverse of the sovereign series, proudly emblazoned with ‘SYDNEY MINT’, ‘AUSTRALIA’ and ‘ONE SOVEREIGN’.  However, authorities in London eventually demanded that the Sydney Mint use standard British designs. As a result, the series ended in 1870.

Every Date is Scarce!

This set is headlined by the low-mintage, excessively rare 1855 and 1856. However, every date of the 1855-70 Sydney Mint Sovereign Series is scarce today.

Mintages of these dates were small to begin with, but many coins were either lost to the mists of time, or fell victim to the profiteer’s melting pot. This means that the entire 15-coin series is very rarely available as a complete, single collection.

Decisive Action is a Must

That’s why we are delighted to offer the 1855-70 Sydney Mint Sovereign 15-Coin Collection in Fine to Very Fine condition. This is your chance to create a complete collection in an instant – a tremendous opportunity. Demand is set to soar as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the end of the series in 2020, so you must act now. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies your sovereign set.