Investors looking for a top quality Sydney Mint Proof Sovereign (1857 to 1870) have a pool of only FIVE COINS from which to make their choice.

While circulating sovereigns were struck in each of the years between 1857 and 1870, proofs were struck in only a sprinkling of them: 1857, 1866 and 1870.

And for those that are assuming that there are probably quantities of each date available to the market – think again. These three years (1857, 1866, 1870) are represented by only 7 coins, two of which show severe mishandling and are thus out of our consideration. That leaves only five coins.

The potential of rare coin investment

This coin is a glowing example of the potential of the numismatic investment market. Offered in July 1988 the coin sold for $27,200 on a pre-auction estimate of $20,000. A decade on, It was sold to the owner of the Madrid Collection for $50,000.

Timeless appeal

This 1857 Proof Sovereign is perfection in gold; currency in a most beautiful and absolute form.

It is a coin with timeless appeal, representative of one of the most important eras in the nation’s history. The discovery of gold in Australia from 1851 not only transformed the economy and society but marked the beginnings of a modern Australia.

Summary on the 1857 Proof Sovereign

The supreme value of this 1857 Sydney Mint Proof Sovereign reflects the following points:

• This coin is integral to Australia’s gold coin history. The Sydney Mint Sovereign series is Australia’s first gold coinage, and therefore historically profound (see history below)
• 1857 marks the beginning of a new era in coin design: the introduction of a new portrait of Queen Victoria, the Banksia in her hair providing a distinctly Australian flavour. Coins that herald in a new era of design are highly valued.
• The coin is extremely rare as one of only three known.
• The entire Sydney Mint Proof Sovereign series is excruciatingly rare and offers limited opportunities for acquisition. Pass on this coin and you will be waiting years to find another one – and then at what price? (This is the essence of numismatic investment.)

History of the Sydney Mint Sovereign Series

The Sydney Mint struck Australia’s first gold sovereign in 1855 depicting a young Queen Victoria. (The Type 1 design)

Two years later in 1857 the portrait of Queen Victoria was altered, the inclusion of a sprig of Banksia in her hair, extending the very Australian look and feel of the coin. (The Type II design)

Sovereigns bearing the Type II portrait of Queen Victoria were struck for circulation in each year between 1857 and 1870. Proofs were however only struck in three of them, 1857, 1866 and 1870.

Past performance of investments and other financial matters is no indication of future returns or performance.