Gold Sovereign «St. George reverse Jubilee Head» 1887.

1887 Gold Sovereigns: A Year of Three Varieties

The year 1887 is notable in numismatic history for featuring three distinct types of gold sovereigns issued under Queen Victoria’s reign, each bearing unique obverse and reverse designs that reflect the transition of her image over time:

Victoria Shield Sovereign: The final year of the “Young Head” bust featuring the intricate Royal Shield on the reverse. This type, with the beloved Young Head design by William Wyon, shows Victoria in her youth and is paired with the ornate Shield, a cherished symbol of British sovereignty.
Young Head St. George Sovereign: Also struck in 1887, this sovereign features the Young Head portrait on the obverse but showcases Benedetto Pistrucci’s acclaimed St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse. This combination was highly popular among collectors and is regarded as an emblem of classic British numismatic art.
Jubilee Head Sovereign: Marking Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, this sovereign introduced a new “Jubilee Head” portrait by Joseph Edgar Boehm. The updated profile of a mature Victoria was paired exclusively with the St. George reverse, adding a distinguished variation to the year’s sovereigns and symbolizing the Queen’s enduring legacy.

The sovereign 1887 Jubilee Head Sovereign is a British gold coin minted under the reign of Queen Victoria in London, also struck at the colonial Australian branch mints in Melbourne and Sydney. Almost 3 million gold sovereign coins were struck this year. The 1887 Queen Victoria “Jubilee Head” Gold Sovereigns, (originally a circulating coin, now a bullion coin) are now 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).

Mintmark	Mint	Mintage
L	London, United Kingdom	1,111,280
M	Melbourne, Australia	940,000
S	Sydney, Australia	1,002,000
	Total sovereigns minted in 1887	3,053,280

1887 Sovereigns Mintage

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.	1887 with 3.053.280 bullion coins.

Specifications for the Gold Sovereign 1887.

1887-S Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Gold Sovereign. Australia.

Rarity and Value of the 1887 Sydney Jubilee Head Sovereign Variations.

The 1887 Sydney Jubilee Head sovereign variations are notably rare, with scarcity levels ranging from R2 to R5. The rarest variation currently known has only a single-digit figure in existence. While this variation is exceptionally rare, it is relatively easier to find compared to others. High-grade examples in very good condition are now commanding premium prices. For instance, a PCGS slabbed and graded MS66 example sold at a Heritage Auction in April 2015 for $18,800. The coin is cataloged at $1,000 in EF (Extremely Fine) and $3,300 in aUNC (about Uncirculated), with examples graded PCGS AU58.

Obverse 1887-S Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Gold Sovereign.

This sovereign features the **Jubilee Head** portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse, introduced to mark the 50th anniversary of her reign. The design, by sculptor **Joseph Edgar Boehm**, depicts a mature Victoria adorned with a small crown, veil, and jewelry, symbolizing her stature and longevity as a monarch. Notably, the crown is unusually small and positioned atop her veil, making the portrait distinctive among Victoria’s other coinage. Around the portrait, the legend reads: **VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D:** (Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith).

Reverse 1887-S Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Gold Sovereign.

This **Sydney Mint** sovereign bears the **“S” mintmark** below the St. George and the Dragon design on the reverse, indicating its Australian origin. The 1887 Jubilee Head sovereigns from Sydney hold particular interest among collectors for their international minting history and for celebrating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, making them highly valued in both Australian and British numismatics.

How to grade a Sovereign 1887.

Discerning collectors will do well to become familiar with the main points to examine when grading this obverse:

1. The fringe between the base of the crown and the top of the veil;
2. The leading edge of the veil (above, behind and below the ear), as well as the folds towards the back of Victoria’s head;
3. Victoria’s shoulder; and
4. The eyebrow and cheek (running from directly below Victoria’s eye to the top of her throat.

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 its neck.

QUEEN VICTORIA” JUBILEE HEAD” GOLD SOVEREIGNS

1887 gold coins Victoria “Jubilée Head” Gold Sovereigns per years