Australia 1885-M 1/2 sovereign

Sincona sale 86, lot 1691

This specimen was lot 1691 in Sincona sale 86 (Zurich, October 2023), where it sold for 1,800 CHF (about US$2,424 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"Victoria, 1837-1901. Half Sovereign 1885 M, Melbourne. Fifth young head, shield reverse. Very rare. NGC AU55."

This is a rare date of a scarce type issued 1871-87. The SCWC notes it as twice the price of the sovereign of 1871-87. It was minted at Melbourne, starting in 1873, and also at Sydney.

Recorded mintage: 11,000.

Specification: 3.99 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 3.99 g.

Catalog reference: KM 5, Hill 475 (R3). Spink 3863B. Fr-14.

Source:

• 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.
• 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 86, SINCONA British Collection - Part 5, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.

Link to:

• 1884-M ½ sovereign
• 1885-M sovereign, St. George and the dragon reverse
• 1885-M sovereign, Shield reverse
• 1885-S sovereign, shield reverse
• 1885-S sovereign, St. George and the dragon reverse
• 1886-M ½ sovereign
• 1886-S ½ sovereign
• Coins and currency dated 1885