Description
British Empire, Australia, Queen Victoria (1837-1901 AD), Gold Half Sovereign (3.95g, 19mm), 1883 S, Royal mint Sydney branch. Obverse: Young, bare head of Queen Victoria facing to the left, her hair double filleted and collected in an updo knot, date below, legend surrounds, “VICTORIA DEI GRATIA”. Reverse: Crowned Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom (1837-1952) garnished with ornate mantle, mintmark below, legend surrounds, “BRITTANIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:”. Marsh-467. Calendar year mintage 221,000. Few typical contact marks and wiped, otherwise an honest, evenly worn example, good Fine, reverse near Very Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Victoria, Deī Grātiā”, with an English translation of “Victoria, by the Grace of God”. The Reverse Latin legend continues from the obverse and reads “Britanniārum Rēgīna, Fideī Dēfēnsor”, with an English translation of “Queen of the British people, Defender of the Faith”.
