1880 Sydney St George Reverse Sovereign - PCGS AU58

Australia, 1880 Sydney St George Reverse Sovereign -

S-3858C, with BP initials on reverse and complete WW initials in truncation on the Queen’s neck on obverse. The 1880-S St George reverse sovereign is one of the quiet achievers in the young head St George series. Rare in Mint State and scarce in AU58, it is underrated by the Renniks and the market, in my view. Varieties exist and are all are scarce, but the varieties without Benedetto Pistrucci’s initials in the exergue on the reverse are rarest. On some examples, the dies that struck the coins were partially filled where the initials are, resulting in faintly-appearing initials. This coins are occasional misdescribed as the much rarer “no BP” variety. The coin on offer here is allegedly from an old bank accumulation, and exhibits coin cabinet friction on the high points. This is evidence that the coin is in original condition and has not been cleaned, and should not be frowned upon, despite its affect on eye appeal. A pleasing coin overall.