It is impossible to imagine modern Britain without the influence of Queen Victoria and the era of incredible progress and innovation to which she lends her name. Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, rising to the throne as Queen Victoria in 1837 and reigning through a period of unprecedented change. Crowned queen at just 18, Queen Victoria’s first coins were issued in 1838 and featured the ‘Young Head’ portrait by William Wyon RA on the obverse. Issued at the time of her Golden Jubilee in 1887, Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm’s ‘Jubilee Head’ was struck until 1893. That same year, the final portrait, by Sir Thomas Brock RA, was introduced. Referred to as the ‘Old Head’ or ‘Veiled Head’, the design shows Queen Victoria in her crown and veil and was struck until her death in 1901.

Of these portraits, that one approved for the coinage in 1838 undoubtedly takes pride of place. Wyon was clearly inspired by his admiration of the neo-classical style of his mentor John Flaxman to create an uncluttered and well-balanced portrait. Now familiarly known as the Young Head, its beautiful features flattered the queen, who was a grandmother in her late 60s before she allowed it to disappear from the coinage. ‘You always represent me favourably’, she is reported to have told Wyon, while he, for his part, is said to have found the queen an excellent sitter.