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The very first coin of the Australian 1855-1931 Sovereign Series!
Born of the Gold Rush – struck at Australia’s first official mint.
Crafted from 22-carat gold, spans 22.05mm in diameter.
First of only two Type I dates, distinguished from Type II by James Wyon’s portrait of Queen Victoria.
Bears ‘SYDNEY MINT’, ‘AUSTRALIA’ and ‘ONE SOVEREIGN’ on the reverse.
Tiny mintage 502,000 – most lost, or melted for the gold value.
Rare in any grade – excessively rare in Very Fine! Click add to cart!
Australia’s first sovereign date, struck at the nation’s first official mint, this is your chance to own the excessively rare 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign Type I in premium grade.
Struck during the reign of Queen Victoria, the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign was born as a direct result of the 1850s Gold Rush. It was the first of a two-year-only type, and represents the beginning of the most distinctive sovereign issue in history. The coin is distinguished by the famous ‘Wreath’ motif, with the words ‘AUSTRALIA’, ‘SYDNEY MINT’ and ‘ONE SOVEREIGN’ proudly emblazoned upon the reverse. It is, however, the effigy of Queen Victoria that defines Australia’s first sovereign type, with James Wyon’s obverse portrayal of the monarch used for only two years, in 1855 and 1856.
The 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign is also notable for the tiny mintage, with just 502,000 struck. Apart from the number that saw heavy circulation during the heady days of the Gold Rush, a huge number of 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns have been destroyed for the gold or lost over the years. As a result, only a tiny percentage of the original mintage would be in better grade, as presented here.
An original, important Gold Rush artefact, we have the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign Type I available in Very Fine. The chance to own the first Australian sovereign in the upper echelons of quality represents an irresistible opportunity to join the elite of Australian numismatics. Don’t ignore it. Click add to cart now!
Issued By
Sydney Mint
Country of Issue
Australia
Year of Issue
1855
Denomination
Sovereign
Metal
Gold
Mintage
502000
Diameter (mm)
22.05
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Downies Collectables
1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign Type I Very Fine
$7,995.00 AUD
Unit price /
Unavailable
Australia’s first sovereign date, struck at the nation’s first official mint, this is your chance to own the excessively rare 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign Type I in premium grade.
Struck during the reign of Queen Victoria, the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign was born as a direct result of the 1850s Gold Rush. It was the first of a two-year-only type, and represents the beginning of the most distinctive sovereign issue in history. The coin is distinguished by the famous ‘Wreath’ motif, with the words ‘AUSTRALIA’, ‘SYDNEY MINT’ and ‘ONE SOVEREIGN’ proudly emblazoned upon the reverse. It is, however, the effigy of Queen Victoria that defines Australia’s first sovereign type, with James Wyon’s obverse portrayal of the monarch used for only two years, in 1855 and 1856.
The 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign is also notable for the tiny mintage, with just 502,000 struck. Apart from the number that saw heavy circulation during the heady days of the Gold Rush, a huge number of 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns have been destroyed for the gold or lost over the years. As a result, only a tiny percentage of the original mintage would be in better grade, as presented here.
An original, important Gold Rush artefact, we have the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign Type I available in Very Fine. The chance to own the first Australian sovereign in the upper echelons of quality represents an irresistible opportunity to join the elite of Australian numismatics. Don’t ignore it. Click add to cart now!