Description
Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 at the age of eighteen, following the death of her uncle, William IV. Her reign lasted 63 years and covered a period of great change in many aspects of industry, science and politics. It was a time of great expansion of the British Empire and Victoria was given the additional title of Empress of India.
She married Prince Albert, the son of Ernest I, the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, in 1840 and they were happily married until his death in 1861. They had nine children and her eldest son, Albert Edward, succeeded her on her death in 1901 becoming King Edward VII. Many of her children married into the Royal families of Europe increasing the strength of the British Royal family.
The young head Victoria half sovereign has a portrait of the young head of Queen Victoria designed by William Wyon, sometimes referred to as the Ôbun headÕ. The date of the coin is below the QueenÕs portrait.
The reverse design by Jean Baptiste Merlen, features a crowned shield surrounded by a wreath. Below the shield is the design of a rose, thistle and shamrock to represent the countries of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The half sovereigns at this time were minted in Australia as well as in London. The mintmark of an ÔSÕ for Sydney or an ÔMÕ for Melbourne are found of the reverse below the shield. If there is no mintmark the Sovereign is minted in London, but from 1863 to 1874 sometimes there will be a die number instead of a mintmark.
The gold half sovereign epitomises British skill and design. Victorian half sovereigns are particularly popular for their historical interest.
