Australia 1883-S 1/2 sovereign
This specimen was lot 32135 in Heritage sale 3105 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $8,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Australia: Victoria gold 1/2 Sovereign 1883-S MS63+ NGC, Sydney mint, Variety with cross not buried and toothed denticles on reverse. This is the less frequently encountered variety of this date which saw an original mintage of 221,000 pieces. The honey-gold surfaces exhibit a calm satin sheen in lieu of loud luster, nonetheless radiating with an impression of quality and premium eye appeal. The reverse fields are essentially unimpacted by exchange and superbly crisp. Currently unrivalled at this certified grade level and a great rarity for the connoisseur 1/2 Sovereign collector's cabinet." 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: 220,000.
Specification: 3.99 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-13, KM 5, S-3862D, Marsh-467A (R2).
- 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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