The sovereign 1879 is a British gold coin minted under the reign of Queen Victoria at the colonial Australian branch mints in Melbourne and Sydney. this coin isn’t considered extremely rare. It’s somewhat collectible but not uncommon among collectors of sovereigns execpt the one minted in London. The 1879 Queen Victoria “Young Head” with St George Back Gold Sovereigns, (originally a circulating coin, now a bullion coin) are VAT free in UK and provided they were minted after 1817 and a legal tender coin, free from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. They also are VAT free in European Union, the sovereigns meeting the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 (special scheme for investment gold). The 1879 Young Head sovereign were minted with 2 different reverses: Shield and St. George.
Table of Contents
| Mintmark | Mint | Mintage |
| London | 20,013 | |
| M | Melbourne, Australia | 2,740,594 |
| S | Sydney, Australia | 1,366,000 |
| Total | 4.126.607 |
1879 Gold Victoria Young Head Sovereign London.
The 1879 London-minted Victoria Sovereign featuring the St. George and the Dragon reverse is a particularly rare and desirable coin. With a mintage of only 20,013, this sovereign is a key date in the series and carries a Marsh rarity rating of R4. All 1879 St. George reverse sovereigns from the Tower Mint in London were struck on a single day in December, making surviving specimens exceptionally rare.
Rarity and Pricing: Due to its rarity and historical significance, this coin is highly sought after among collectors. In lower grades, prices can start around £2,000–£3,000. However, well-preserved specimens in higher grades can fetch significantly more, with prices often ranging between £6,000 and £12,000, depending on the precise condition and market demand.
1879 Gold Victoria Young Head Melbourne Sovereign.
A total of 2,740,594 of these coins were minted in Melbourne, so it’s not considered especially rare. While “Young Head” sovereigns typically fetch a bit more than standard sovereigns, dealers usually price them based on their gold content rather than any additional rarity. They are rare but not exceedingly so, and if you plan to sell, expect to receive a price close to the bullion value.
Obverse
Inscriptions: Around the portrait, the inscription reads “VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F:D:”, which stands for “Victoria Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensor”, translating to “Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith.”
Reverse
Design: The reverse of the 1879 Melbourne Sovereign depicts the iconic image of St. George slaying the dragon. This dynamic design, created by Benedetto Pistrucci, shows St. George mounted on a horse with flowing robes, wielding a sword against a dragon beneath him. This image is highly regarded for its artistry and has become one of the most celebrated designs in British coinage.
Inscriptions and Details: There are no inscriptions on the reverse side, which allows the St. George and dragon motif to take full focus. At the base of the design, you may notice the small “M” mintmark, indicating it was minted in Melbourne.
| Diameter (mm) | Weight (gr) | Thickness (mm) |
| 22,05 mm | Gross weight: 7,99 Gr Fine Gold: 7,32 Gr – 0.2354 troy ounce. | 1,52 mm |
| Edge and Orientation. | Millesimal fineness. | Composition. |
| ➣ Reeded / Milled ➣ Medal alignment ↑↑ | 22 carats; 917 ‰ | 91.67% gold and 8.33% Copper. |
| Mint and Mintmark | Financial Features | Mintage. |
| « The Royal Mint » London and Australia mints. | Type: bullion coin. Production Years: 1817–present. Legal tender in the United Kingdom, value £1 = 20 shillings. | 1879 with 4.126.607 bullion coins. |
| Reverse: | Portrait by William Wyon. Matte background with matte bust of queen Victoria facing left. VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR REG: FID:DEF:” Translated from Latin: Victoria by the Grace of God King of the Britons, Defender of the Faith.) |
| Obverse: | Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George on horseback slaying the dragon right; 1879 and B.P. in exergue inscribed at the bottom. |
A relatively flat design allows the young head obverse to show little wear. The mains point to check for strike & wear are :
- The hair juste on the double ribbon,
- The hair above the ear,
- The knotted bun area,
- The peaks of the eyebrow,
- As always, the rims and fields.
When collectors examine a sovereign with the St George reverse, there are a certain number of points which are examined closely for strike & wear. From top to bottom, they are:
- The crest of St George’s helmet;
- St George’s chest, together with the strap & pin fastening his cloak;
- The bridle as it crosses the horse’s neck;
- The muscle separation in St George’s upper thigh;
- The horse’s forequarters & rump;
- The “bloodline” in the sword;
- The upper band across St George’s boot;
- The dragon’s torso below it’s neck.