George IV’s reign saw significant changes in British coinage, both in design and metal composition.
Here’s a summary of the types of coins issued during his reign:
1. Gold Sovereigns:
- These coins were introduced in 1821 to mark the King’s coronation.
- They feature Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic Saint George and the Dragon design on the reverse.
- Two designs exist: the laureate portrait and St. George reverse, and the bare head with a shield back reverse (issued starting in 1825).
2. Silver Crowns:
- Often considered underappreciated but highly collectible.
- Struck in sterling silver, featuring the King’s bust on the obverse and Saint George slaying the dragon on the reverse.
- Crowns were only struck in 1821 and 1822, with another rarer design issued in 1826.
- An example of a circulated 1820 George IV Silver Crown is available for purchase at approximately 129.99USD . Another option is the 1821 Great Britain .925 Silver Crown Coin , featuring King George IV on one side and George Slaying The Dragon on the other, with a mintage of only 438,000 pieces.
- A certified (NGC MS-62) 1821 George IV silver crown with a deep mirror proof-like finish is available for 5600USD.
3. Halfcrowns:
- Struck in sterling silver.
- The bare head design was issued between 1824 and 1829, while the laureate head with a garnished shield design was struck in 1820 and 1821.
4. Shillings:
- Struck in sterling silver between 1825 and 1829.
- They feature the King’s head facing left on the obverse and a lion standing on a crown on the reverse.
5. Farthings and Halfpennies:
- These were the smallest denominations and saw extensive use in daily trade.
- George IV farthings were struck in copper and featured the King’s head in a laurel wreath with Britannia seated on the reverse.
- In 1826, a new portrait of George IV was introduced on the copper farthings, designed by William Wyon, according to Coincraft.com.
- An extremely rare 1821 Copper Pattern ‘Trial’ Farthing featuring the laureate head and Britannia seated on the reverse is available for purchase at 643.06USD.
- Halfpennies were struck in copper for only three years (1825-1827), making them relatively rare in collections.
6. Irish Penny:
- An example of a King George IV – IRISH Hibernia Penny Restrike coin from 1822 is available for purchase at 20.28USD.
- A used and circulated genuine 1822 Hibernia Penny is available for 63.69USD.
7. Conder Token:
- A 1793 copper farthing Conder Token featuring a laureate head of the future King George IV is available for 223.5USD.
- Many George IV coins are now around 200 years old, so they may show signs of wear from circulation.
- Circulated Crowns are more affordable than uncirculated examples.
- George IV coins represent a pivotal era in British coinage history, marked by notable artistic achievements and advances in minting technology.
Are George VI coins valuable?
I can help with that. George VI coins
The most valuable coins from King George VI’s reign are the Gold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns that were struck in 1937 as part of a four coin set to celebrate his coronation. The design showed Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon on the reverse and Humphrey Paget’s portrait of the King on the obverse.
What was the coin of George IV?
Good point! King George IV only ruled from 1820-1830, so his coinage was rather short-lived. The coin on offer is his sterling silver shilling issued between 1825-1829. You have the King’s head facing left and the reverse has a lion standing on a crown. They were only issued in 1825, 1826, 1827 and 1829.
What is the 1829 George IV coin?
A collectable and scarce silver Shilling of King George IV dated 1829. The obverse features the bare head facing left, while the reverse shows lion standing on top of a crown with emblems below.