1860 Sydney Mint Sovereign PCGS XF45
The 1860 Sydney Mint sovereign has always been considered the key coin in the Sydney Mint sovereign series. Along with the 1858, it is scarce in lower grades, rare in high grades, and unknown (at the moment) in Choice or Gem Uncirculated grades. Curiously, there are more examples in PCGS MS62 (eight coins including a coin in MS62+) than what one would expect for this rare date. I have no factual explanation for this, except for a rumour I heard about multiple Mint State examples being found in a hoard in India, which were progressively released to the market over a number of years. Lesser coins, in XF and AU, are widely collected because they are affordable and make suitable coins for a date set. Coin collectors seeking a superior example should aim for at least AU58. A Sydney Mint sovereign in AU58 with a strong hairline can pass as UNC, so it’s a great way to secure a commercially-UNC coin without paying the five figures for an MS62. Professional Coin Grading Service is the global leader in coin authentication and grading. With over 60 million coins graded and counting, PCGS is trusted by collectors, dealers, and investors to certify authenticity, protect value, and elevate market confidence. This is a direct conversion of the 70-point PCGS grade to a 10-point scale, intended to present the grade in a more intuitive format for newer collectors. It is not our personal opinion or an attempt at regrading the coin to a different standard. To understand how the 70-point scale converts to a 10-point scale, [click here](https://drakesterling.com/en/page/the-ten-point-coin-grading-scale).