1890 Sydney Sovereign - PCGS MS64

Australia, 1890 Sydney Sovereign -

S-3868B, second obverse. Like all Jubilee head sovereigns, the 1890-S sovereign is generally well-struck. Equally, however, it is also typically found heavily bagged, with marks throughout the fields on both ‘verses. Bagged examples are often touched off on the high points with coin cabinet friction, and usually grade MS61 or MS62 with PCGS. While MS61 is not an unpleasant grade, the collector should try to aim for an example in at least MS63, where it is affordable. As with most of the Jubilee head series, coins in MS64 are rare. As of November 2020, PCGS has only graded two 1890-S sovereigns in MS64, with the other piece impounded in a high-rating Set Registry set. The coin on offer here is the equal-finest graded by PCGS (11/20), and one of just four MS64 Australian Jubilee head sovereigns I’ve listed on the site in the last thirteen years. RARE in this grade, and a genuine Australian numismatic rarity.