1838 Gold Sovereign

The 1838 sovereign was the first sovereign to be issued during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The reverse of the sovereign features the crowned shield of the Royal Arms, designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen. Collectors will know this coin as a 'Shield Back'.


Obverse is the portrait of Queen Victoria Young Head by William Wyon, RA.

The 1838 sovereign has a mintage of 2,718,694. The coin is very popular amongst sovereign collectors, with it being the first Victorian issue.

Proofs are rare. No mintmark means London mint.