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MV Logo. Coins and Medals. 8hr medal.


Crown (Five Shillings), 1887

This is one of a series of coins featuring the Jubilee head of Queen Victoria by the medallist and gem-engraver Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm. About this portrait the authority L. Forrer wrote 'Unfortunately, his head of Queen Victoria was so much wanting in artistic merit that it was severely criticised by all experts, and never gained favour with the public'. This head was replaced on the coinage in 1893.

Crown (Five Shillings), obverse.
Click to enlarge. (91kb)
 Crown (Five Shillings), reverse.
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Obverse – Crowned and veiled bust of Queen Victoria facing left. Around this the legend VICTORIA D:G:BRITT:REG: F:D: [Victoria by the Grace of God Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith].

Reverse – Pistrucci's famed depiction of St. George and the dragon with the date 1887 below.


Donated by George McArthur, 1903


© Museum Victoria Australia