British Colonial - London: 1893-1901
Veiled Sovereign - Queen Victoria

The Final Type Queen Victoria soveriegn is refered to as Old Head, Veiled or Widow Head was introduced in 1893 and was used till her death on 1901 January 22nd. The Perth Branch of the Royal Mint was opened in 1899 and also minted this type for three years.

SPECIFICATIONS
DenominationSovereign
MetalGold 0.916
AlloyAg/Cu 0.??
Diameter22.0 mm
Thickness1.5 mm
Weight Legal7.99 gms
Weight7.94 gms
ShapeRound
EdgeMilled
Die-Axis0°
MintRoyal, London
 18xx_victoria_1s_au_obverse 18xx_victoria_1s_au_reverse
Obverse : Elderly Bust of Queen Victoria facing left crowned, veiled and draped wearing ribbon and star of the Garter. Around periphery legend VICTORIA·DEI·GRA·BRITT· REGINA·FID·DEF·IND·IMP· . Effigy by Thomas Brock who placed small initials T.B. in relief below truncation.
Reverse: St. George with Steamer flowing from Helmet, mounted on horse rearing right, slaying with sword in right hand, the dragon on ground. Mint Year below the representation of ground, with designer Benedetto Pistrucci's initials B.P. to the right.

Note Veiled Queen Victoria, St George Sovereigns were minted with Mint mark on representation of ground on reverse.
Type Royal MintStart End Mint Mark
Type IVALondon 1893 1901 None
Type IVBMelbourne 1893 1901 M
Type IVCSydney 1893 1901 S
Type IVCPerth 1899 1901 P

Minted after 1869 they would become legal tender in Ceylon only after the sovereign was re-legalised by Proclamation of King Edward VII in 1901. They would have only come to Ceylon in circulation, not by importation by Government of Ceylon.

Ref: The Gold Sovereign. by M. A. Marsh.
1999, Cambridge U.K., 2nd ed. 118pp. Illustr. colour

The Sovereign was scanned at 600 dpi and displayed at 300 dpi It was obtained in USA around 2000.