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Victoria Jubilee Head Sovereign Information

Author: Lawrence Chard - Chairman and CEO

Published: 13 Feb 2018

Last Updated: 24 Dec 2022

Synopsis

Queen Victoria's reign would come to define an age, proving to be the longest reign in the history of the British Monarchy, even beating George III, until now. The second portrait of her reign, The Victoria Jubilee Sovereign is one of the most iconic pieces of historical coinage. Victoria jubilee sovereigns were struck between 1887 and 1893. If your looking to buy Victoria jubilee sovereigns please click here to view our full online catalogue.

The Jubilee Portrait

Joseph Edgar Boehm

Appearing on gold and silver coins from 1887 to 1893, the jubilee portrait of Queen Victoria was designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm and was the third portrait to be completed during the monarch's reign. The crown featured in the engraving was commissioned specifically for the queen, with its appropriate title of "Queen Victoria Diamond Crown", being derived from the 1,187 diamonds upon the headpiece. 

Victoria Jubilee Head Sovereign

Short and Long Tail St George 

These sovereigns are commonly referred to as Type III sovereigns, or similiar. The obverse portrait is by the engraver Joseph Boehm with Pistrucci’s St George and the dragon on reverse. The new portrait was introduced for Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and was used until 1893 inclusive. Collectors should notice that 1887 London Mint Jubilee sovereigns are yellower than other sovereigns, as slightly more silver was deliberately used in their alloy reducing the copper content. In recent years there have been new discoveries about reverse variations often distinguishable by the length of the horse’s tail. Although the tails do differ in length, the Melbourne and Sydney mint sovereigns can have the tails accurately defined by the number of spurs of hair on the left side indent in the tail. "Short Tail" has two spurs of hair, “Medium Tail" has no spurs of hair and "Long Tail" has one spur of hair.

Long Tail 

Long Tail reverse, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci

Short Tail 

Short Tail reverse, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci

Full List of Dates and Mintmarks

Date
Mintmark
Mintage*
  London Melbourne Sydney Total
1887 Exists Exists Exists 3,053,280
1888 Exists Exists Exists 7,795,036
1889 Exists Exists Exists 13,262,045
1890 Exists Exists Exists 11,811,424
1891 Exists Exists Exists 11,675,068
1892 Exists Exists Exists 13,430,470
1893 None Exists Exists 3,147,352

Coin and Medal Alignment

You can find more information on the alignment by clicking here.

Type Coins

If you are not looking for a particular date, but want a nice example of this type of sovereign, you can order a "type coin". Just call 01253 343081 to talk to a member of staff. 

Guarentee

All our coins are guaranteed genuine, and we try to grade reasonably conservatively. For customers ordering by post, we want you to be delighted when you receive your coin. We thrive on repeat business and recommendation.

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