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Summary:: Australia Victoria
Half Sovereign 1908 M
Mint: Melbourne

Note: half sovereigns dated 1907 from the Melbourne Mint were also struck in 1908, the mintage figure in the Annual Report, 405,034, represents the total number of pieces struck bearing both dates.
Description:: A gold coin (19 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring a bare head of King Edward VII facing right; around, EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT: OMN: REX F:D: IND:IMP: below the head in tiny letters the artist's initials DES. The reverse features St. George on horseback holding short sword, the horse rearing to right over a fallen dragon which has a broken lance in its chest; in exergue, the date, 1908 and the artist's initials B.P.. The mint mark M is in the ground above the middle of the date.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976

Themes this item is part of:	George William de Saulles, Sculptor, Designer & Engraver (1862-1903), Numismatics & Philately Collection, Melbourne Mint, Medal Makers, Victoria, Australia, George William De Saulles, Medallist (1862-1903), Deputy Masters of the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint, Closure of Melbourne Mint, Melbourne Mint during World War II, Establishment of Melbourne Mint, 1872, Melbourne Mint
Primary Classification:	COINS
Secondary Classification:	Australia - Victoria
Tertiary Classification:	working strikes
Series:	Imperial
DateEra:	1908 AD
Denomination:	Half Sovereign
Obverse Description:	Head of King Edward VII facing right; around, EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT: OMN: REX F:D: IND:IMP: below the head in tiny letters the artist's initials DES.
Reverse Description:	St. George on horseback holding short sword, the horse rearing to right over a fallen dragon which has a broken lance in its chest; in exergue, the date, 1908 and the artist's initials B.P.. The mint mark M is in the ground above the middle of the date.
Edge Description:	milled
Inscriptions:	Obverse: EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT: OMN: REX F:D: IND:IMP: DES Reverse: 1908 M B.P.
Shape:	Round
Material:	Gold
Issued By:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Mint:	Melbourne (Mint)
Artist:	Benedetto Pistrucci - Royal Mint, London
Artist:	George de Saulles - Royal Mint, London