The 1882 Sydney is probably a slightly more common date than the 1881 Sydney overall despite having a lower
mintage
of 52,000. In particular, it is more common in mint state grades with a Choice Uncirculated example being sold at the
Reserve Bank Sale and two examples graded above EF. The Choice Uncirculated example sold for close to $60,000 while the examples
around the good EF to AU range sold for $20,000 to $25,000. Examples just below EF sold for around $2000 to $6000
(Downies, 2005)
.
Circulated 1882 Sydney Mint Half Sovereigns tend to have heavily worn reverses due to low-rims, with the top-right quadrant
of the shield being most susceptible.
Reverse: note the obvious wear on the top-right quadrant.
In 1882, the Melbourne Mint also struck two types of Young Head half sovereigns distinguishable by a truncated and normal
bust of Queen Victoria.
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