1859 Victoria Gold Full Sovereign Sydney Mint Coin

 Banksia Head Portrait Of Victoria

The obverse of this 1859 coin features a uniquely Australian portrait of Queen Victoria, crowned with a wreath of banksia, an Australian wildflower. This portrait is attributed to Leonard Charles Wyon. The date (1859) is shown below with 'VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D:' around.

AUSTRALIA Gold Sovereign Reverse

The word 'AUSTRALIA' is shown at the centre of a wreath with a crown above. To the top edge are the words 'SYDNEY MINT' with 'ONE SOVEREIGN' below.

Early Sydney Sovereign Specifications

Like their British counterparts, 1859 Sydney mint Sovereigns are struck in 22-carat gold to a specification established in 1817 when the first of these iconic gold coins were minted. Early Sydney Sovereigns like this one are known to be made from slightly finer gold, leading to them being favoured by traders.

Mintage Figures For 1859 Sydney Sovereigns

Records indicate that 1,050,500 gold 'full' Sovereigns were struck at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint in 1859. Additional 1859 Sovereigns were also minted in London but with a different design.

Buying Historic Sydney Mint Sovereigns

Sydney mint Sovereigns are popular among Sovereign collectors for their unique design and their ties to the story of the Australian gold rush. Like all early Australian Sovereigns, high-grade examples of the 1859-S issue can be difficult to find due to harsh circulation conditions.

Browse the range: Sydney Mint Gold Sovereigns