BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, Victoria, Gold Sovereign, Sydney branch mint, 1856, first young head left, with double fillet, small date below, rev australia at centre, crown above, within laurel wreath tied with bow at bottom, sydney mint above, one sovereign below (Bentley 630; McD 103; QM 27 R3; Marsh 361 R; KM 2; Fr 9). Cleaned with heavy scuffs and surface marks both sides, about fine, reverse better, rare.
Calendar year mintage 981,000
The total mintage of the first type design at the Sydney mint from 1855-6 = 1,483,000 pieces
The Second Type "AUSTRALIA" Sovereign
The second incarnation of the Sydney mint Sovereign occurs in 1857 for currency after a pattern submitted by Leonard C Wyon, dated 1855. It seems Leonard's Father, William Wyon, perhaps influenced this portrait style of hair, as the gathered hair is very similar to that seen on the British Gothic Florin and Crown from 1847 onward.
Estimate: £600-800