BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, Victoria (1837-1901), Gold Sovereign, 1872M, engraved after William Wyon, third young head style left, with double fillet, ww incuse without stops on truncation date below, toothed border and raised rim both sides, victoria dei gratia, rev struck with inverted die axis, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, crowned quartered shield of arms within laurel wreath, mint letter M below, emblems below (Bentley 758; McD 120; QM 48; Marsh 59 R; KM 6; Fr 12; S 3854). Some light surface marks, with underlying brilliance, a couple of rim nicks, otherwise extremely fine and rare.
Calendar year mintage 748,180, includes St George reverse design and 180 pieces sent for pyx trial.
There were no shield Sovereigns issued from Melbourne in the following year 1873.
Estimate: £400-600