Owner Comments:
GT.BRITAIN, WILLIAM IV GOLD PROOF HALF-SOVEREIGN 1831
(S-3830).
OBVERSE: Bare head of King facing right, engraved by William Wyon (1795-1851).
REVERSE: Beautifully garnished shield modelled and engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen (1769-1850).
DIAMETER: 17.9 mm.
WEIGHT: 3.994g
FINENESS: 22 carat.
EDGE: Plain.
MINTAGE: 225
RATING: R3
KING WILLIAM IV, 1831 PROOF HALF-SOVEREIGN
In 1831 only plain edge proofs were issued of both the sovereign and half sovereign. The half sovereign is considerably smaller than any other half sovereign previously struck during the modern era, and in fact measures 17.9 mm. It is though the same weight and fineness as previous issues (61.637 grains and 916.66 fineness).
KING WILLIAM IV
The Reign of King William IV (House of Hanover) 1830-1837.
Born: 21 August 1765.
Accession: 26 June 1830.
Married: Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg and Meiningen, 11 July 1818 after first meeting a week before.
A double wedding with his brother, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent.
Coronation: Thursday, 8 September 1831.
Children: two daughters who both died in childhood, ten illegitimate children previously.
Died: 20 June 1837, aged 71.
1831 GOLD HALF-SOVEREIGN PF 62 ULTRA CAMEO
Beautiful and attractive proof with thickly frosted devices and mirrored fields.
ex Spink & Son Ltd.