UK Full Sovereign Gold Coin Victoria 1893-1901
1893 marked the beginning of a new portrait. Commonly referred to as the ‘old head’, ‘veiled head’ or ‘widow head’, coins were produced from 1893 up to her death in 1901. By 1893 the Queen was 78 years old and shows Victoria wearing a coronet and long veil. The Queen faces to the left on these coins and are stuck in medal alignment. This means that should you hold the coin at the top and bottom and turn it through a horizontal axis the head or reverse will appear the same way up. The modern British sovereigns feature Benedetto Pistrucci's design depicting George & the Dragon on the reverse. They have been struck both at the Royal Mint and at branch mints since 1817. - Each coin weighs 7.98g and is 916.7 22ct Gold. - Dimensions: Diameter: 22.05mm Thickness: 1.52mm. Other Information The edge of the coin reads ‘VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP’. This is a Latin inscription which translates to ‘Victoria, By the Grace of God, Queen of Britain, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India’. ‘Empress of India’ was a title which she took in 1876, this sovereign is the only type from her reign that makes reference to this title. Coins were minted at the London, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth Mints. Mint mark can be found on the reverse and is located under the George and the Dragon. All Victoria Veiled Head Sovereigns feature the George and the Dragon reverse.