This is one of the fist gold sovereigns struck at the Melbourne Mint (the first and second coins were sent to London). These sovereigns were identical to coins struck at the Royal Mint in London and the Sydney Mint. Both the Melbourne and Sydney mints were set up as branches of the Royal Mint.

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Obverse – Head of Queen Victoria facing left. Around it is the Latin legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA [Victoria by the Grace of God], and the date 1872.		Reverse – Crowned arms of Great Britain within a wreath, around it is the legend BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: [Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith]. Below the shield is a small letter 'M', the mint mark of the Melbourne Mint.

Donated by Alfred Chitty, 1923