Sovereign 1889 Sydney, first legend (DISH S11)

Victoria (1837-1901), gold Sovereign, 1889, Sydney, Australia Mint, Golden Jubilee style bust facing left, small crown and veil on head, pearl earring and 13 pearl necklace, J.E.B. initials raised on truncation with right angled J, initials of engraver J Edgar Boehm, first abbreviated Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D: rev. struck en medaille, St George and dragon right, horse with short tail, broken lance to left on ground-line, tiny WWP under lance, initials of William Wellesley Pole, Master of Mint when design introduced, S mint mark at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, initials B.P to upper right, for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled (DISH S11 R3; Marsh 140; S.3868). With some light surface marks, almost extremely fine and very rare.

During 1889, the Sydney branch Mint were still producing some gold Sovereigns using a small number of the old first legend obverse dies. We can only speculate if these dies were used in error, or it was simply a case of them still being usable and not wishing to waste them. It is estimated that no more than around two or three percent of the year's output were the first legend type. Has been previously graded by PCGS as MS61 - certification 32503028.

Provenance:

Ex The Park House Collection, St James Auction 32, 10^th May 2015, lot 206.

Sold as part of the David Iverson Collection on the 130th anniversary of the Jubilee head Sovereign - coin JH20