1902 Edward VII Gold Full Sovereign Melbourne Mint
1902 Melbourne mint King Edward VII gold 'full' Sovereign: the first Sovereign of this monarch's reign (S 3971, Marsh 186). Edward VII acceded to the throne in 1901, following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria. He was crowned the following year at Westminster Abbey, a grand celebration of the culture and power of the British Empire. This 22-carat gold coin was struck in the farthest reaches of that Empire, then at the height of its powers. The Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint had been founded in Victoria's reign and would continue to strike Sovereigns until 1931. These coins are distinguished by a tiny 'M' mintmark, seen on this 1902 issue on the ground below the depiction of Saint George and the dragon. The obverse shows George William de Saulles' portrait of Edward VII. 4,267,157 Sovereigns were struck at Melbourne in this year and remain an important relic of Edward's reign. System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String] System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String]