This Sovereign dates from 1875, the year that saw Captain Matthew Webb become the first person to swim the English Channel, The Times newspaper publish the first daily weather map and Alexandra Palace reopens after being damaged by a fire in 1873.

Stuck in 22 carat gold, it features Queen Victoria’s Young Head portrait on the obverse, which was her favourite portrait for coinage. The queen liked the design so much that it was struck on coins for 47 years. Victoria's love of her Young Head portrait was so great it is reported to have taken many years and designers to find a portrait she liked enough to replace it.

The Young Head portrait was created by William Wyon RA, chief engraver at The Royal Mint. The reverse features Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George and the dragon design.