1880 Victoria Young Head Gold Full Sovereign Coin

This Sovereign dates from 1880, the year in which British Parliament legally adopted Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Thomas Edison opened the first electric lamp factory, and William Ewart Gladstone defeated Benjamin Disraeli in a British election to become Prime Minister for a second time.

Stuck in 22 carat gold, it features Queen Victoria’s Young Head portrait on the obverse, which was her favourite portrait for coinage. The Young Head portrait was created by William Wyon RA, chief engraver at The Royal Mint, and shows Victoria when she acceded to the throne at 18 years of age. The queen liked the design so much that it was struck on coins for 47 years. The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George and the dragon, one of the most popular numismatic designs.