1857 Victoria One Penny – Natural Toning

1857 Victoria One Penny – Young Head – Attractive Mid-Victorian Issue with Natural Toning

This listing is for a genuine 1857 Copper One Penny of Queen Victoria, struck at the Royal Mint, London. The 1857 issue belongs to the later years of the large copper penny series, featuring William Wyon’s elegant Young Head portrait — a design that defined early Victorian coinage and remains one of Britain’s most admired numismatic portraits.

This coin shows pleasing mid-grade detail across both sides, with clear definition in the hair and Britannia’s features. The surfaces display smooth wear and warm, natural brown toning with soft hints of remaining lustre. It presents as an honest and original example, free from cleaning or damage, typical of careful preservation over more than 160 years.

Historical Context

The 1857 penny was among the final issues of the large copper coinage before the transition to lighter bronze coins in 1860. These later dates circulated heavily and were often withdrawn once the bronze series began, making surviving examples in collectible condition increasingly sought-after. The design by William Wyon and his son Leonard Charles Wyon represents the culmination of the Royal Mint’s craftsmanship during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Coin Details

Country: United Kingdom
Monarch: Queen Victoria (1837–1901)
Denomination: One Penny (1d)
Date: 1857
Metal: Copper
Weight: 18.9 g
Diameter: 34 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Royal Mint, London
Mintage: Approx. 4,000,000

Design

Obverse: Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria facing left, legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA.
Reverse: Britannia seated right holding trident and shield, legend BRITANNIAR: REG: FID: DEF:, with floral emblems below and date in exergue.
Designs by William Wyon and Leonard Charles Wyon.

Condition

A well-preserved mid-grade circulated example with strong central detail and smooth, problem-free fields. The coin exhibits even toning and pleasing overall eye appeal, ideal for collectors seeking an authentic late-copper penny from the Young Head series.

Collectors’ Notes

The 1857 Penny offers excellent value within the pre-bronze series, bridging the early Victorian and industrial eras. Original, uncleaned examples such as this are becoming harder to source as collectors increasingly pursue high-quality copper pieces.