Victoria sovereign 1887

This Victoria sovereign coin was designed by Benedetto Pistrucci. The coin strikes the eye with its lustrous gold surface. The composition centres on a profile portrait of Queen Victoria, framed by the circular edge. The incised lettering along the circumference creates a structured boundary, setting off the Queen’s image. Consider this portrait's cultural codes: the crown, the draped fabric, and the elegant lettering - each element functions as a signifier of power. The coin's structure, material, and design reinforce established social hierarchies. However, the coin is not merely a symbol of monarchical power, but also an economic object, destabilizing values by connecting sovereignty with material wealth. The coin invites us to consider how value is assigned and maintained through semiotic systems.