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1859 'Ansell' Gold Sovereign Victoria Young Head Shield In 1859, a shipment of gold coin alloy was rejected by the Royal Mint on the grounds that it was too brittle for use in striking coins. However, a metallurgist employed by the Royal Mint, one George Frederick Ansell, asked to be allowed to experiment with the gold in order to improve it and make it suitable for striking into coin. Ansell enjoyed considerable success in his efforts, and managed make the alloy even tougher than that of a normal sovereign. Sovereigns struck from George Ansell's reworked gold alloy were apparently so tough, that they could not be broken by an ordinary man even when attacked with a pair of pliers (not that we would recommend trying to repeat this experiment with one!) George Ansell was rewarded for his work by a letter of thanks from the Mint Master and given a cash bonus of £100 (a considerable sum of money in those days). An 'Ansell' sovereign struck from the reworked gold can be identified by an additional line which is visible in the rear hairband of the Queen's portrait, as seen in the photograph to the right. These sovereigns are listed as Rare 4 in Marsh (15 - 25 examples known) and are very popular with collectors of rare sovereigns. We are always extremely keen to acquire one when possible.
Gold Sovereigns - Victoria Young Head Shield Reverse
*Correct as of March 2016
Die Numbers
Type Coins
Guarantee
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  Obverse of 1859 'Ansell' Shield Sovereign with Additional Line in Hairband
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