Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Sovereign 1916 M
Mint: Melbourne

Physical Description

A circular gold coin (22 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a bare head of George V facing left; below, the artist's initials B.M.; around, GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN:REX F.D. IND:IMP: and on the reverse St. George on horseback holding short sword and wearing a helmet, cape and boots, the horse rearing over dragon whose side is pierced by a broken lance, the haft of the lance is on the ground behind the horse; the date, 1916 and artist's initials B.P. in exergue; the mint mark "M" in ground line above middle of date.

Obverse Description

Head of George V facing left; on neck truncation, the artist's initials B.M.; around, GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN:REX F.D. IND:IMP:

Reverse Description

St. George on horseback holding short sword and wearing a helmet, cape and boots, the horse rearing over dragon whose side is pierced by a broken lance, the haft of the lance is on the ground behind the horse; the date, 1916 and artist's initials B.P. in exergue; the mint mark "M" in ground line above middle of date.

Edge Description

Milled

Significance

In August 1916, as a direct result of World War I, the Department of the Treasury notified the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint that from that date all gold deposited was to be paid for by cheque instead of gold coin. All gold produced in Australia would henceforth become the property of the Commonwealth. It would continue to be struck into sovereigns but these would be delivered to the Treasury. See supplementary file for copies of related documents.
See supplementary file for problems supplying jewellers with gold during War due to this regulation.

More Information