1896 penny:Queen Victoria surpasses grandfather K George 3 as the longest reigning monarch to date

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

Mint

, London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Event in this year:

22 September Queen Victoria surpasses her grandfather King George III as the longest reigning monarch in British history up to this date.

6 January Cecil Rhodes resigns as Premier of Cape Colony over the Jameson Raid

615 April Great Britain and Ireland compete at the Olympics and win 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals.
8 May in cricket, Yorkshire sets a still-standing County Championship record when they accumulate an innings total of 887 against Warwickshire.

7 June Mahdist War: British and Egyptian victory at the Battle of Ferkeh.

27 August -The shortest war in recorded history, the , starts at 9 in the morning and lasts for 45 minutes of shelling.