Victoria (1837-1901), gold Sovereign, 1879, London Mint, young filleted head left, WW buried on thin truncation for engraver William Wyon, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D:, rev. St. George and dragon right, long tail to horse, date in exergue, small B.P. initials to upper right, 7.97g (Bentley 312; Marsh 90 R4; MCE 341; S.3856A). Some light smoothing to portrait, otherwise very fine and lustrous, one of the lowest mintages for a currency sovereign, very rare.

Calendar year mintage 20,013

The Latin legends translates on obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God Queen of the Briton's, Defender of the Faith."

The 1879 London Mint Sovereign is the rarest St. George reverse currency Sovereign in the reign of Victoria and the UK series.

Provenance:
Ex London Coins, Auction 149, 6th June 2015, lot 2824.

Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500