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Australia Victoria Shield Large Head

1885-M  Half Sovereign reverse 1885-M  Half Sovereign obverse

1885-M Half Sovereign

Mintage:11,003
Mint:Melbourne Mint Monarch:Victoria Reverse Designer:J. B. Merlen Obverse Designer:William Wyon Size:19mm Weight:3.99g Edge:Reeded Composition:91.67% Gold
8.33% Copper

Values

Sales History

The 1885 Melbourne is the rarest date in the Young Head series, coming from a tiny mintage of 11,003. Marsh rates this coin as R5 (9 to 14 examples known), a strong indication of the coins' extreme rarity before the Reserve Bank of Australia released its gold holdings. A present day estimate would be closer to 200. The type turns up once or twice per year at auction in the lower grades and has historically demanded a premium over catalogue values. The date generally turns up in the VF to XF range and although it is extremely scarce beyond this.

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