1871 - 1887 Gold Sovereign. Two Types But Same Mintage?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the shield reverse was preferred in the Indian trade, as it was what they had been used to in the 1820s. The shield type may also have been more popular in China, where the "dragon-killer" St George motif may not have been popular amongst a people and government that still honoured and revered the dragon as a national symbol.

So which ones were struck at any given point in time depended on where the coins were intended to be sent. This in turn affects both local and global availability of the two types.

I think a rough split is known for just one of those years?

Never been to the mint myself but I assume the sovereigns are still there somewhere.