Australia 1882-S 1/2 sovereign
This specimen was lot 32134 in Heritage sale 3105 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $10,200. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Australia: Victoria gold 1/2 Sovereign 1882-S MS63 NGC, Sydney mint, Variety with cross buried, round reverse denticles, and Arabic 1 for "I" in "REGINA." Quite possibly the key date for the Australian young head 1/2 Sovereigns with the original mintage of only 52,000 pieces, of which this example is the sole finest and the only Mint State graded representative. Words escape the cataloger with describing this beauty, its outstanding luster and immaculate strike are beyond compare for what is usually seen for this date. The obverse die is expressing a slight degree of distress with a die crack emerging in second "I" in "VICTORIA," as well as traversing across her cheek that has a faintest spot of cabinet friction, mentioned for accuracy and quite inconsequential as a whole for this offering that doubtlessly will be met with ardent bidder activity."
While this type is moderately priced in well circulated condition, nice specimens are few and expensive. The type was struck 1871-87 and, unlike the full sovereigns, none were made with the St. George and the dragon design on the reverse. Melbourne began striking half sovereigns in 1873.
Recorded mintage: 52,000.
Specification: 3.99 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-13, KM 5, S-3862E, Marsh-466B (R3).
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
- Pitt, Michael, ed., Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values, 32nd Edition, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia: Renniks Publications, 2023.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 January 9 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction - New York #3105, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.
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