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Australia Sydney Wreathed Bust

1863 Half Sovereign

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The Sydney Mint struck 558,500 half sovereigns in 1863, the highest mintage of any Sydney Mint half sovereign but mint records indicate that none were struck in 1862 (Marsh, M, A, 2004) , despite half sovereigns dated 1862 certainly being known. It is most likely that many of the half sovereigns struck in 1863 were actually struck from 1862 dies which would seem to support the relative rarity of the 1863. The 1863 is probably the third or fourth scarcest date in the wreathed bust Sydney Mint series, after the 1855, the 1860 and possibly the 1865. There would be well under 1000 surviving examples of this date, probably around 600, most of which would be well worn. Finding this date at AU or above is extremely difficult with around 25 to 30 examples surviving in that fine state.