Semi-Numismatic

1895 Great Britain Gold Half-Sovereign Victoria Veil AU

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In 1895, the Royal Mint struck this gold Half-Sovereign, a coin that captures a significant moment in British numismatic history. Containing 0.1176 troy ounces of gold at a purity of 0.9167, this piece represents the late-era coinage of Queen Victoria's long reign. It survives today in an impressive Almost Uncirculated state, preserving the fine details of its nineteenth-century craftsmanship. The obverse features the mature, veiled bust of Queen Victoria facing left. Surrounding her portrait are the Latin inscriptions of her titles, including VICTORIA, DEI, GRA, BRITT, REGINA, and FID, DEF, which translate to her status as Queen by the Grace of God and Defender of the Faith. This representation, often called the veiled head or widow head, portrays the monarch in her later years of rule. On the reverse, the coin displays the classic motif of Saint George on horseback, battling a dragon. The saint is depicted facing right, poised in a dramatic struggle against the mythical beast. The year 1895 is anchored at the bottom of this dynamic scene, completing a design that remains one of the most recognized and celebrated images in world coinage.