The Type II Shield sovereign features the Imperial shield design on the reverse paired with William Wyon's portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse. It differs from the Type I Shield sovereign by the designer's initials, WW appearing raised within the truncation beneath the bust.
It differs from the Type III Shield sovereign by having a larger bust. A key identification point is illustrated below.
The mint of this issue can be identified by a mintmark beneath the shield on the reverse as shown in the illustrations below:
The absence of a mintmark or the presence of a die number indicates a London mint issue.