BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, Victoria, Gold Sovereign, 1879, by William Wyon, young head left, ponytail complete, ww buried in thin truncation in relief, rev St George slaying dragon with sword, hem of cloak doubled, horse with long tail, three strand end to tail, one spur of extra hair on curve of tail, dragon with four claws to left and three to right arm, one detached, date in exergue, date double struck, tiny b.p. to upper right (Bentley 312; Marsh 90 R4; MCE 541; S 3856A). Cleaned, scuffed with surface marks and hairlines, otherwise good fine and very rare.
Calendar year mintage 20,013
This incredibly low mintage for the calendar year is perhaps indicative of how rare the 1879 Sovereign really is. This is one sixth of the 1841 output and only six times higher than in 1819. 1879 marks the year where Resident Engraver T J Minton dies and this post is then abolished.
Estimate: £500-700