Victoria 1896 S Gold Sovereign NGC MS 62

AUSTRALIA. Victoria, 1837-1901.
Gold Sovereign, 1896 S. Sydney.
Old, veiled bust left, T.B. below; VICTORIA · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·. / St George on horseback slaying the dragon right; mintmark S in groundline; date and B.P. in exergue. Edge milled.

Introduced in 1893, Sir Thomas Brock’s crowned and veiled Old Head offered a dignified portrayal of Victoria in the later years of her reign. The accompanying legend included the title *IND IMP*, or Empress of India, which had been omitted from the Queen’s earlier sovereigns despite her assumption of the title in 1876.

Brock’s portrait was paired with Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon, while the small ‘S’ in the groundline identifies its production at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint.

Although more than 2.5 million examples were struck, the 1896-S is notably scarce in superior Mint State condition. Graded NGC MS62, the present coin is one of only fourteen examples recorded at this level, with just four certified finer.

In secure plastic holder, graded NGC MS 62 , certification number 6613652-010.

NGC Census in this grade: 14.
NGC Census in higher grade: 4
Reference: S-3877; Marsh-165; McD-195
Weight: 7.99g. (AGW=0.2355 oz.)
Diameter: 22mm.
Mintage: 2,544,000.
Composition: 917/1000 Gold.

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