BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, Victoria, Gold Sovereign, 1842, open 2 in date, first young head left, ponytail terminates in single curved strand of hair, date below, rev crowned quartered shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below (Bentley 971; Marsh 25; MCE 502; S 3852). Hairlined and scuffed with surface marks, otherwise fine and very rare.
Calendar year mintage 4,865,375
The more significant variety of 1842 is the rarer open 2 type where the curve of the top of the 2 is not so rounded and shorter. The 4 in this date variety is also a taller and sharper topped figure than the normal 1842 date. Marsh does not list any of the varieties of 1842 in his publication as these have only been noted in the last decade.
Estimate: £500-600