1880 Melbourne Shield Reverse Sovereign - PCGS MS62

Australia, 1880 Melbourne Shield Reverse Sovereign -

If you’re familiar with the shield sovereign series, the coin photographed above needs no introduction. If shield sovereigns aren’t your specialty, then read on. Like the other Melbourne-minted rarities in the shield series, an average-grade 1880-M makes perhaps a dozen appearances a year at auctions or dealer pricelists. But in Mint State, the coin is far rarer than almost any other Young Head sovereign across the series. In the last five years, I’ve seen only two specimens in Mint State, and both sold strongly at auction. I acquired one of those coins last May in a meeting with a collector at a rowdy pub in London. He would not let the coin go cheaply, and I paid a record sum to get the deal over the line. Thankfully, the coin graded up MS62 with PCGS, and I now offer it here. It is the equal-finest graded by PCGS (7/15), with only one other example available in this grade. NGC has graded none in Mint State and only three coins in lesser grades. Aesthetically, the coin is just beautiful. The fields are glossy and proof-like, the strike is crisp and sharp, and the overall appearance is fresh. Even if this were a common date, it would be a very pleasing coin, and one of the better shield sovereigns I’ve seen in the last few years. Easily a “Choice UNC” under the Australian grading system, and something to put aside for the long-term. Call me to discuss on +61 421 228 821.