The 1886 Melbourne is of similar rarity to the 1881 Melbourne with damaged examples turning up from time to time and problem-free
examples in XF or better being extremely scarce. The total surviving examples would be under 1000 with only two or three
examples in mint state, probably surfacing from the Ballarat hoard.
This can be differentiated from the more common 1886 Sydney mint half sovereign by the presence of an M mintmark underneath
the shield on the reverse.
1886 Melbourne (this coin)
1886 Sydney mint mark sovereign
There are also subtle differences on the
rim
beading with the Sydney mint type having beads and the Melbourne mint type having a toothed
rim.
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