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Coins begin life as a blank metal planchette. The planchette is placed between two "dies" and struck, creating the impression on both sides of the coin. British gold coins such as the Five and Two Pound and the Sovereign and Half-Sovereign were usually minted where ever the gold was mined. Coins minted at the London Mint usually had the "Die number" at the bottom of the reverse of the coin, almost as a mintmark. Coins minted elsewhere had a letter indicating the Mint. Some London minted coins did not have the "Die number" on them, hence, "No Die". There will be no mintmark on them either, indicating that they were minted at the London Mint.
Gold was discovered in the Sovereign Hill area of Ballarat in August 1851.
Michael A. Marsh has written: 'Gold Sovereign' -- subject(s): Gold coins, Sovereign (Coin)
Your coin is either a Sovereign (22.05mm) or a Half-Sovereign (19.3mm). All Sovereigns and Half-Sovereign coins are made from 22 carat gold.
The second largest gold nugget in the world was found in Sovereign Hill. There is still gold there, although not as many people dig for gold as used to.
All Sovereign coinage issued by the Royal Mint since 1817 is 22 carat gold. These include the Five Pound (Quintuple Sovereign), Two Pound (Double Sovereign), Sovereign, Half-Sovereign and, in 2009, the Quarter-Sovereign.
All British Sovereign and Half-Sovereign coins produced from 1817 to present are 22 carat gold.
If you refer to Sovereign coinage, all British Sovereign coinage is minted in 22 carat gold. The Sovereign weighs 7.988052 grams, and contains 7.322881 grams of gold. The Half-Sovereign weighs 3.99 grams, and contains 3.6575 grams of gold.
A gold sovereign
Arthur Sovereign died in 1966.
The letters DS do not appear on a Half-Sovereign.
The 1893 coin you describe covers a number of possibilities.Jubilee Head - early 1893Sovereign (22 carat gold) - 22.05mm in diameterOld Veiled Head - late 1893Quintuple Sovereign (22 carat gold) - 36mm in diameterDouble Sovereign (22 carat gold) - 28.4mm in diameterSovereign (22 carat gold) - 22.05mm in diameterHalf-Sovereign (22 carat gold) - 19.3mm in diameterCrown - (sterling silver) - 38.6mm in diameterPlease decide which you have and submit a new question.