The 1871 Proof Sovereign (shown above) is a celebration. And the 1871 Proof Half Sovereign that accompanies it, also is a celebration.

These colonial creations are universally celebrated because they are the very first proof coins struck in Australia.

The issuing mint, the Sydney Mint.

Established in 1855, the Sydney Mint's coining skills had come of age by 1871, reaching a stage in its development that enabled the striking of proof coinage. The very first proofs to be struck in Australia and of the utmost significance.

And, as it so happens, the 1871 proofs were the first striking of imperial gold coins outside Britain. Also very significant.

As a point of note, the Royal Mint London had produced the dies and struck the nation's earlier proof issues (1853 to 1870).

These colonial creations also are a celebration of the Sydney Mint’s achievements in crafting perfection in gold in its very first proof striking. On every occasion the coins have been offered, their brilliant and flawless state has been noted. As they are today.

The Young Head series of gold proofs are rarely offered.

It is a fact that proofs out of this era were not struck every year. And the numbers, on the few occasions they were produced, were minuscule.

And while all Young Head gold proofs are scarce, there is one date that stands out from the rest as being the most desirable. And the most sought after. And that is the first year, 1871.

Procurement is not made easy because the 1871 proofs are unique in private hands.

A summary of the 1871 Proof Sovereign and 1871 Proof Half Sovereign ...

• The first gold proofs struck in Australia

• Unique in private hands

• The Young Head era (1871 to 1887) is a sector of the market that is defined by overwhelming scarcity.

• The year '1871' is the first year of the Young Head design, and therefore the most sought after

Rare coins raise awareness of our history. And rare coins raise awareness of our accomplishments as individuals and as a nation.

It is a statement that may well have been written for this 1871 Proof Sovereign and 1871 Proof Half Sovereign.

The coins are offered as a pair for $295,000.

Detailed information and enlarged photographs are shown below.

1871 Proof Sovereign struck at the Sydney Mint with a grained edge, featuring the Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria and the St George & Dragon reverse

Unique in private hands • Brilliant and flawless

First sighted at Sotheby Wilkinson & Hodge London Auction 19 November 1888, lot 833 in the liquidation of the Robert Marsham Collection • Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge London March 1903, lot 620 in the liquidation of the John G Murdoch Collection • Spink Auctions November 1978, lot 599 • Spink Australia Auctions November 1981, lot 991 • Spink Auctions July 1988, lot 2305 • Barrie Winsor, sale by private treaty to Coinworks January 2003

The Young Head portrait appeared on Australia’s sovereigns for seventeen years, between 1871 and 1887. Both the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint were prolific producers of circulating coinage during this era. Both mints were however miserly producers of proof coinage.

Sydney Mint proof sovereigns in the Young Head era have been sighted in four years, 1871 (this coin), 1879, 1880, and 1883. And of the Melbourne Mint, in only two years, 1885 and 1886. Coins of Record were struck in 1874 and 1875 at the Melbourne Mint, to specimen quality.

1871 Proof Half Sovereign struck at the Sydney Mint with a grained edge, featuring the Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria and the Shield reverse

Unique in private hands • Brilliant and flawless

Spink Auctions November 1978, lot 650, Spink Australia Auctions November 1981, lot 999 • Spink Auctions July 1988, lot 2306 • Barrie Winsor, sale by private treaty to Coinworks, January 2003

The Young Head portrait appeared on Australia’s sovereigns for seventeen years between 1871 and 1887. Both the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint were relatively prolific producers of circulating coinage during this era. But miserly producers of proof coinage.

Proof Half sovereigns of the Sydney Mint have only been sighted in three years, 1871 (this coin), 1880, and 1883. And of the Melbourne Mint, only two years, 1884 and 1886.