{"product_id":"1888-m-australian-gold-sovereign-melbourne-mint-first-legend-jubilee-head","title":"1888-M Gold Sovereign – Melbourne Mint","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"105\" data-start=\"44\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"105\" data-start=\"44\"\u003eQueen Victoria “First Legend” Jubilee Bust | Rare Variety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"322\" data-start=\"107\"\u003eOffered by \u003cstrong data-end=\"159\" data-start=\"118\"\u003ePocket Treasures Coins \u0026amp; Collectables\u003c\/strong\u003e, this highly sought-after 1888 Melbourne Mint sovereign represents an exceptional opportunity to secure a scarce and historically important Australian gold issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"327\" data-start=\"324\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"348\" data-start=\"329\"\u003eCoin Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"367\" data-start=\"351\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"360\" data-start=\"351\"\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1888\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"397\" data-start=\"370\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"379\" data-start=\"370\"\u003eMint:\u003c\/strong\u003e Melbourne (“M”)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"429\" data-start=\"400\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"417\" data-start=\"400\"\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sovereign\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"455\" data-start=\"432\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"448\" data-start=\"432\"\u003eComposition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"477\" data-start=\"458\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"469\" data-start=\"458\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.96g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"498\" data-start=\"480\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"489\" data-start=\"480\"\u003eEdge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Milled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"637\" data-start=\"501\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"513\" data-start=\"501\"\u003eObverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jubilee bust of Queen Victoria facing left, engraver initials \u003cem data-end=\"584\" data-start=\"576\"\u003eJ.E.B.\u003c\/em\u003e (J. Edgar Boehm), Latin legend with toothed border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"755\" data-start=\"640\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"652\" data-start=\"640\"\u003eReverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e St George slaying the Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci, \u003cem data-end=\"712\" data-start=\"706\"\u003eB.P.\u003c\/em\u003e initials to upper right, date in exergue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"827\" data-start=\"824\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"859\" data-start=\"829\"\u003eThe “First Legend” Variety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"927\" data-start=\"860\"\u003eThis example features the earlier \u003cstrong data-end=\"918\" data-start=\"894\"\u003eFirst Legend obverse\u003c\/strong\u003e reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1059\" data-start=\"929\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"965\" data-start=\"929\"\u003e“VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D:”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"968\" data-start=\"965\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"1059\" data-start=\"968\"\u003eTranslation: “Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1337\" data-start=\"1061\"\u003eThe Melbourne Mint had already transitioned to the later Second Legend after 1887. It is believed that a limited number of 1888-dated sovereigns were struck using remaining First Legend dies to avoid waste—resulting in a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1336\" data-start=\"1282\"\u003escarce and highly collectible transitional variety\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1342\" data-start=\"1339\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1357\" data-start=\"1344\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1451\" data-start=\"1387\"\u003eToned surfaces with numerous marks consistent with circulation\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1552\" data-start=\"1503\"\u003eStrong historical character and original detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1682\" data-start=\"1554\"\u003eDespite honest wear, this remains a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1642\" data-start=\"1590\"\u003every rare and desirable Melbourne Mint sovereign\u003c\/strong\u003e, seldom encountered in the marketplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1687\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1709\" data-start=\"1689\"\u003eMintage \u0026amp; Rarity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1750\" data-start=\"1712\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1738\" data-start=\"1712\"\u003eCalendar year mintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2,830,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1899\" data-start=\"1753\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1785\" data-start=\"1753\"\u003eFirst Legend 1888-M variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Produced in \u003cstrong data-end=\"1820\" data-start=\"1798\"\u003every small numbers\u003c\/strong\u003e within the total output, making it significantly scarcer than standard issues.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1904\" data-start=\"1901\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1932\" data-start=\"1906\"\u003eWhy Collect This Coin?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2012\" data-start=\"1935\"\u003eTransitional die variety from a pivotal period in Melbourne Mint production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2077\" data-start=\"2015\"\u003eClassic \u003cstrong data-end=\"2045\" data-start=\"2023\"\u003eSt George \u0026amp; Dragon\u003c\/strong\u003e design by Benedetto Pistrucci\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2119\" data-start=\"2080\"\u003eGenuine Victorian-era Australian gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2193\" data-start=\"2122\"\u003eIncreasingly difficult to source, particularly identifiable varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2233\" data-start=\"2195\"\u003eA standout addition for collectors of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2259\" data-start=\"2236\"\u003eAustralian sovereigns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2285\" data-start=\"2262\"\u003eMelbourne Mint issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2312\" data-start=\"2288\"\u003eVictorian gold coinage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2335\" data-start=\"2315\"\u003eRare die varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2340\" data-start=\"2337\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2358\" data-start=\"2342\"\u003eAvailability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2482\" data-start=\"2359\"\u003eA rare opportunity to secure an \u003cstrong data-end=\"2424\" data-start=\"2391\"\u003e1888-M First Legend Sovereign\u003c\/strong\u003e with strong collector appeal and historical significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2626\" data-start=\"2484\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2542\" data-start=\"2484\"\u003eAvailable now at Pocket Treasures Coins \u0026amp; Collectables\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2545\" data-start=\"2542\"\u003eSecure this scarce gold sovereign before it disappears into a private collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pocket Treasures Coins and Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51664289693978,"sku":null,"price":2750.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/8864\/9754\/files\/IMG-7089.heic?v=1770265228","url":"https:\/\/pockettreasures.com.au\/products\/1888-m-australian-gold-sovereign-melbourne-mint-first-legend-jubilee-head","provider":"Pocket Treasures Coins and Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}