1887 Sydney Jubilee Head Sovereign - PCGS MS62

Australia, 1887 Sydney Jubilee Head Sovereign -

S-3868A, with small spread JEB initials on obverse. The 1887 Sydney Jubilee head sovereign has always been the key coin to the Jubilee head series. Although collectors sometimes compare it to the key coin in the Veiled head series (the 1899P), the 1887S is far scarcer. It is uncommon in lower circulated grades, scarce in PCGS AU58 and MS61, and rare in MS62, while examples and MS63 or better can be considered to be very rare. Miraculously, there are two examples in PCGS MS66. One can assume that these were diligently put aside by collectors in 1887, perhaps in honour of the Queen’s jubilee celebrations. The coin photographed above is the first 1887S Jubilee head sovereign I’ve had on hand since February 2019, and one of the nicer examples out there to boot, with fresh lustre and great eye appeal. From an old Canberra source, and an overall pleasing example of this key date.