Obverse

Older diademed and veiled portrait ('Old Head') of Queen Victoria left, legend around, designer's initials below bust.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VICTORIA·DEI·GRA·BRITT·REGINA·FID·DEF·IND·IMP·
T.B.

Unabridged legend: Victoria Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensatrix Indiae Imperatrix

Translation: Victoria by the Grace of God Queen of the Britains Defender of the Faith Empress of India

Engraver: George William de Saulles

Designer: Thomas Brock

Reverse

Seated figure of Britannia right, with trident in left hand and shield bearing the Union flag in right, sea behind, denomination above and date in exergue.

Note: varieties exist (see below)

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ONE PENNY
1898

Engraver: George William de Saulles

Designer: Leonard Charles Wyon

Edge

Plain

Mint

Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Comments

The standard weight of these pieces was 48 to the pound avoirdupois (1/3 ounce or 145.8 grains).

Dies for the final Victoria veiled head issue were engraved by George William de Saulles. The obverse design was copied from a model by Thomas Brock and the reverse was a modified version of the Leonard Charles Wyon design, with the rock and lighthouse removed.