1861 Sydney Mint Type II Sovereign Unc (PCGS MS61)

Description: Sterling and Currency Pre Decimal Coins Pre Decimal Silver Pre Decimal Copper Decimal Coins Proof Sets Mint Sets Commemorative Coins Notes Pre Decimal Notes Paper Decimal Notes Polymer Notes World Currency Notes World Coins Other 1861 Sydney Mint Type II Sovereign Unc (PCGS MS61) Description 1861 Sydney Mint Type II Sovereign Unc (PCGS MS61) Obverse: Type II portrait of Victoria to left, date below and legend around Reverse: Crown above AUSTRALIA, wreath with denomination and legend around Diameter: 22.00mm | Weight: 7.99g | Purity: 91.67 | AGW: 0.2354 ozt Mintage: 1,626,000 PCGS have graded just 5 examples of this date finer than this. Rivalry between the Australian colonies was fierce during 1861. Each colony was keen to prove itself successful at grand tasks - discovering new regions suitable for crops & livestock; discovering a path for a telegraph connection with Europe and discovering new species of plants and animals were all goals the colonial governments sponsored. Two significant exploration parties were topical in 1861, Burke and Wills died tragically in northwest South Australia towards the end of the year, while John McDouall Stuart departed Adelaide in October 1861. The Burke & Wills expedition is regarded as the largest and most costly exploration ever mounted in Australia, and set out to cross the continent from southern to northern coast (Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria). Having failed in their mission, their truly tragic deaths on the return journey to Melbourne stopped the nation. The result of Stuarts expedition could not have been more differentâ his party successfully crossed the continent south to north, and returned safely along the same route. As a result of their journey, the Northern Territory was opened up to settlement, and a route was discovered for the Overland Telegraphâ Australia was able to communicate with the rest of the world in a matter of hours, rather than months. An Australian widely regarded as one of the finest astronomers of the centuryâ John Tebbutt was the first person to identify the most spectacular comet to be seen during the 19th century, later known as Tebbutts comet. At times, the comet had become so bright that it was visible in the daylight; when it passed between the Earth and the sun it caused a noticeable darkening of the daytime sky and at its closest point to Earth, it covered two thirds of the sky. Tebbutts meticulous records, meteorological observations and his extensive studies of the stars and planets earned him the acclaim of scientists around the world. Due to their slightly higher component of silver rather than copper, the early Sydney Mint sovereigns have a lovely light lustre when in mint state, and have an eye appeal unseen on sovereigns from later periods. The spacious fields on both the obverse and reverse are open to bag marking even on very lightly circulated coins, while the relief of the portrait shows up even the slightest amount of circulation as wear on Victorias braid. The coin we offer here easily ranks as a superior example. The braid & bun on Victoria's portrait remains intact; it is devoid of wear on the crown & leaves on the reverse and has clean fields both sides. This coin is a superb heirloom of Australia’s age of exploration, one with timeless appeal. Click the PCGS icon below to verify the certificate details for this coin directly on the PCGS website. PCGS Certificate Number: 49161615 Specifications Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris tempor sit amet arcu eu aliquet. Sed condimentum justo et nisi molestie, eu rhoncus lorem elementum. SKU 23330

Price: 8625 AUD

Location: Fremantle (WA)

End Time: 2024-12-17T01:07:58.000Z

Shipping Cost: 16.23 AUD