Coin
Maker & role
W Wyon (active 1851), Designer
Production date
1860
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Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Diam: 1.9cm (Diam: 19mm)
Signature & marks
Embossed text obverse side of coin; ‘VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F:D: 1860’.
Embossed text reverse of coin; 'SYDNEY MINT / AUSTRALIA / HALF SOVEREIGN'.
Embossed text reverse of coin; 'SYDNEY MINT / AUSTRALIA / HALF SOVEREIGN'.
Credit line
Purchase, 2004
The Mint Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
The Mint Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
1860 half sovereign, produced by the Royal Mint, Sydney Branch
Description
The Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint commenced operation in May 1855, producing gold sovereigns and half sovereigns as an Australian currency. These continued to be produced until the Mint closed in 1926. From 1855-1870 these coins had a unique design however after 1870 they became identical to British sovereigns. This half sovereign, a Queen Victoria Sydney Mint Type Two, is of a design produced between 1857-1866. The half sovereign was the ‘work-horse’ of Australian currency in the second half of the 19th Century and this 1860 coin is classed as very scarce. It is graded numismatically as good.
Accession number
MIN2005/5
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Contact Us
Head Office
The Mint, 10 Macquarie St
Sydney, NSW 2000
On Gadigal land
T 02 8239 2288
TTY 02 8239 2377
E info@mhnsw.au
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