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Jubilee Head

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The Jubilee Head Half Sovereign - Queen Victoria's Golden Anniversary Coinage

The Jubilee Head Half Sovereign represents one of the most iconic and distinctive periods in British and Australian numismatic history. Created specifically to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years on the throne, these coins feature a unique portrait that became a subject of both admiration and controversy.

The Jubilee Portrait: Design and Symbolism

The Jubilee Head portrait of Queen Victoria was designed by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890), a renowned Austrian-born British sculptor who was appointed Sculptor in Ordinary to Queen Victoria in 1881. This design represented a significant departure from the “Young Head” portrait that had been used for decades.

The obverse features:

  • Queen Victoria facing left, wearing a small crown
    A veil flowing from the crown
  • Ribbon of the Star of the Garter across her shoulder
  • The Victoria and Albert Order is prominently displayed
  • The designer’s initials “J.E.B.” appear in relief at the bottom rear of the bust on most issues of coins.

Most notably, the design included the actual “Queen Victoria Diamond Crown” which was specially commissioned for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. This crown contained an impressive 1,187 diamonds, giving it both its name and its exquisite appearance.

First and Second Editions

The Jubilee Head Half Sovereign is distinguished by two major design variants, often referred to as the “First Edition” (or First Legend) and “Second Edition” (or Second Legend). These variations reflect the technical challenges in producing Queen Victoria’s new portrait and the Mint’s solutions to those challenges.

First Edition (1887)

The initial design of the Jubilee Head Half Sovereign, released in 1887, has several distinctive characteristics:

Obverse (Portrait Side) Features:

  • The crown’s tip encroaches into or overlaps the denticles (the small dots around the perimeter of the coin)
  • A greater distance between the “D:G:” in the legend and the left side of the crown
  • A slightly wider effigy of Queen Victoria

Second Edition (1888-1893)

Following the initial release, the Royal Mint made adjustments to the design for technical reasons, creating what collectors know as the Second Edition:

Obverse (Portrait Side) Features:

  • The tip of the crown barely touches or doesn’t touch the denticles
  • Reduced distance between “D:G:” in the legend and the left side of the crown
  • A slightly narrower portrait of Queen Victoria

The Jubilee portrait became somewhat controversial when introduced. Contemporary critics mocked the small crown as it appeared it might “topple off at any moment.” This criticism likely contributed to the design’s short lifespan before being replaced.

Your Opportunity to Own a Piece of Numismatic Excellence

For investors seeking to diversify their precious metals portfolio with historically significant coins, the Jubilee Head Half Sovereign represents an excellent combination of intrinsic gold value and numismatic premium. Their distinctive design, technical innovations, and connection to the height of the British Empire make them particularly desirable to collectors worldwide.

FAQs


What is a Jubilee Head Half Sovereign Coin?

A Jubilee Head Half Sovereign Coin is a British gold coin that was minted to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1887. It features a distinct design created by Joseph Edgar Boehm, known for its intricate detailing and historical significance.

What is the weight and composition of a Jubilee Head Half Sovereign Coin?

A Jubilee Head Half Sovereign Coin typically has a weight of 3.99 grams and is composed of 22-carat gold, which is 91.67% pure gold.

Which mints produced Jubilee Head Half Sovereigns?

These coins were primarily produced at the Royal Mint in London, but also at the Sydney and Melbourne mints in Australia. Australian-minted coins can be identified by the “S” (Sydney) or “M” (Melbourne) mint mark below the shield on the reverse.

What replaced the Jubilee Head design?

In 1893, the Jubilee Head design was replaced by the “Old Head” or “Veiled Head” design, which continued until the end of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1901. This final portrait of Victoria, designed by Thomas Brock, showed her as an elderly monarch with a widow’s veil, crown, and diadem.

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