George V 1925 S Gold Sovereign NGC MS 64

AUSTRALIA. George V, 1910-36.
Gold Sovereign, 1925 S. Sydney.
Bare head left, B.M. on truncation; GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:. / St George on horseback slaying the dragon right; mintmark S in groundline; date and B.P. in exergue. Edge milled.

The Sydney Mint was approaching the end of its long history when this sovereign was struck. Established in 1855 as the first overseas branch of the Royal Mint, it would close in 1926 after more than seventy years of operation, making the 1925 sovereign one of its final gold issues.

The year also marked Britain and Australia’s return to the gold standard. This was a gold bullion standard rather than a restoration of gold coins to everyday circulation, and the substantial output of the Australian mints was principally intended to support reserves and international trade. More than 5.6 million sovereigns were struck at Sydney during the year.

Melbourne-born sculptor Bertram Mackennal’s portrait of George V was paired with Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon, with the small ‘S’ identifying the Sydney issue. Graded NGC MS64, the present coin is particularly well preserved for the type. NGC records twenty-one examples at this grade, with only eight certified finer.

In secure plastic holder, graded NGC MS 64 , certification number 6692981-008.

NGC Census in this grade: 21.
NGC Census in higher grade: 8
Reference: S-4003; Marsh-285; McD-279
Weight: 7.99g. (AGW=0.2355 oz.)
Diameter: 22mm.
Mintage: 5,632,000.
Composition: 917/1000 Gold.

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