Coming from a mintage of 64,013, combined with the Jubilee Head types, the 1887 Melbourne is one of the scarcest half
sovereigns ever issued. It is estimated that a total of around 600 examples remain today making it extremely difficult to
source at or above AU. It is however not quite as scarce as is generally considered with the 1881 Melbourne, and possibly
the 1886 Melbourne, being slightly scarcer in better grades and the 1885 Melbourne being scarcer overall.
The type can be differentiated from the 1887 Sydney by the presence of an M
mintmark
underneath the shield.
M mintmark indicates the coin was struck in Melbourne (this coin)
The more common type was struck in Sydney and bears an S mintmark
This type can be differentiated from the Jubilee head types from the obverse
portrait.
Young Head portrait (this coin)
The Jubilee Head type
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