1836 Sovereign with "N" in shield PCGS XF45
The early sovereign series is replete with unusual errors and varieties. One of the most dramatic occurs on the 1836 sovereign, where a handful of coins exhibit a stray “N” in the lower-left quadrant of the shield. Whether the addition of the errant N onto the dies was a careless accident by an illiterate die sinker, or—as hypothesised in some numismatic circles—an expression of support for the recent political coup in neighbouring France by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (for whom the Napoleonic N was an emblem) is not known. What is clear, however, is that fewer than twenty coins are known, making the “N in shield” variety one of the rarest currency-issue sovereigns across the entire sovereign series. If you collect William IV sovereigns or are a sophisticated collector seeking a major British rarity, the present coin, photograph above, makes an ideal addition to your collection. 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).