1856 Sydney Mint Type I Half Sovereign good EF (PCGS AU53)
| We Last Sold This Item For: | $8,625.00 |
|---|---|
| Last Sold On: | 18/10/2021 |
| # Sold In Past 12 Months: | 0 |
1856 Sydney Mint Type I Half Sovereign good EF (PCGS AU53)
Obverse: Type II portrait of Victoria to left, date below and legend around
Reverse: Crown above "Australia" within wreath, denomination below
Diameter: 19.30mm | Weight: 3.99g | Purity: 91.67 | AGW: 0.1177 ozt
Mintage: 478,000
This early Sydney half has sharp details and lots of lustre under the patina.
Following the discovery of gold at Bathurst in 1851, economic growth in Australia exploded. The number of coins in use in the colonial economy was simply unable to keep pace with the growing population. When we consider that the population of Victoria doubled in 1852 alone, we can appreciate just how often the few coins that were in circulation would have been used.
Just 21,000 half sovereigns were struck at the Sydney Mint in 1855, and 478,000 were minted in 1856.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics records that the total population of colonial Australia was 876,729 people in 1856, meaning there were less than two Sydney half sovereigns available per person at that time.
This particular 1856 has a lot of sharp detail remaining in the designs on either side - the hairline of Victoria remains sharp and distinct, as does the wreath across the reverse.
The surfaces are wholly original and plenty of lustre remains - it clearly did not circulate for long at all.
This coin traded as a raw "about Unc" in years past, at a commensurate price back when the market was strong for such coins.
We have priced the coin in line with recent auction results for comparable coins, and believe that it is an absolute bargain at the ask.
It is perfect for the Australian half sovereign date collector looking to build a portfolio of solid coins at value for money prices.
Click the PCGS icon below to verify the certificate details for this coin directly on the PCGS website.
PCGS Certificate Number: 27777045
SKU: 27106
Browse our catalog of Type I Sydney Mints below:
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