Victoria 1850 Sovereign, 5 struck clearly over 8 by mistake, extremely rare AU55

Victoria (1837-1901),gold Sovereign, 1850, the 8 of date with 5 struck over it in error, second larger young filleted head left, W.W. raised on truncation for engraver William Wyon, date below with unusual overstrike, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA,rev.crowned quartered shield of arms, laurel wreath surrounding, emblems below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:, 7.96g (Bentley 986; Marsh 33B R5; S.3852C).A conclusive overdate, some light marks both sides, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as AU55, extremely rare being only the third example we have ever seen since its discovery just over 15 years ago.

NGC certification 6945839-010 and seemingly the only one graded at present.

Calendar year mintage 1,402,039.

The Latin legends translates on obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God," and on the reverse "Queen of the Briton's, Defender of the Faith."

One of the most elusive varieties within the young head Victorian Sovereign series, essential to the discerning collector. This specific variety was caused by the die engraver seemingly having a lapse in concentration and punching the figure 5 in the master die over the 8 over 18 which would have been already present, requiring him to punch 5 and 0 in the right sequence. This is only the third this cataloguer has seen and is extremely rare.