- Fine Weight: 0.2354 T/Oz (7.32g)
- Gross Weight: 7.98g
- Diameter: 22.05mm
- Fineness: 916.0
The Sovereign was first chartered by Henry VII in 1489. Its original design showed the King in full coronation regalia and on the reverse, the Tudor Rose, a reference to the union between the houses of Lancaster and York. The Victoria Young Head Sovereign was produced between 1838 and 1887. An interesting fact about the Young Head Victoria coins - they are the only Sovereign to run concurrently with two differing designs on the reverse. Both the coins have a portrait of the young Victoria, however from 1838 to 1887 the design on the obverse displayed a heraldic shield. From 1871 to 1887 the Royal Mint revived a Benedetto Pistrucci's earlier design of St. George and the Dragon. The St. George design did not grace the half Sovereign until 1893.