Item NU 3130 Pattern Coin - Half Sovereign, New South Wales, Australia, 1855

Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Half Sovereign, 1855 Second Type Pattern
Mint: London
Other Details: Felton Bequest Funds

1855 was the first year that the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint struck coins. This pattern was prepared that year at the Royal Mint in London with the obverse design that was introduced at Sydney in 1857.

Physical Description

A gold coin (19 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a head of Queen Victoria facing left and wearing a wreath of banksia with the date 1855 below. The reverse features the word AUSTRALIA below a royal crown within a wreath of laurel and with the words SYDNEY MINT above and HALF SOVEREIGN below.

Obverse Description

Head of Queen Victoria facing left, wearing a wreath of banksia around hair, which is plaited; the date 1855 below.; around, VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F:D:

Reverse Description

At centre within a laurel wreath AUSTRALIA under a royal crown; above, SYDNEY MINT; below, HALF SOVEREIGN

Edge Description

Milled