1837 Gold Half-Sovereign – William IV

The 1837 Gold Half-Sovereign - William IV

Gold Half-Sovereign of King William IV minted at the Royal Mint in 1837. It was the last of the William IV half-sovereigns. SCBC: 3831. The half-sovereign was worth 10 shillings.

William IV half-sovereigns came in two sizes (both with same weight). Half-sovs were not made every year and in 1831 and 1834 the diameter was 17.9mm (small size) and in 1835, 1836 and 1837 the diameter increased to 19.4mm (large size).

The size was made smaller to distinguish the half-sov from the sixpence (which had the same diameter at the time), but the public didn't like the new size and so it reverted back after 1834. Some 1836 half-sovereigns were struck (erroneously) with the 19.4mm diameter sixpence die (they can be quite expensive to buy).

The Reverse shows a crowned shield of the Royal Arms with mantle, designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen. Dated as "ANNO 1837".

King William IV’s bare head portrait can be seen on the obverse of the coin, facing right, designed by William Wyon. William IV is Latinised on the coin as GULIELMUS IIII. Legend: "GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:".

Sovereigns issued from 1817 to 1837 are often described as ‘Early King’ sovereigns. King George III, King George IV and King William IV are all depicted on sovereigns minted during these years.

Image credit: Museums Victoria

List items on:

List items on: