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William IV Gold Sovereigns

William IV came to the throne on 26 June 1830 having succeeded his brother, George IV and stayed on the British throne until 1837.

Once again, William Wyon, who had produced the last design of George IV, used a bare head profile of William IV on the gold sovereign with him facing to the right. The date was moved to the reverse of the sovereign coin and the lettering made smaller in order for the longer legend to fit around the edge.

Jean Baptiste Merlen (Pistrucci's assistant from George IV reign) now had the opportunity to change and embelish the shield because the inscription had been removed. The date is now on the right hand side of the shield at the bottom with the Latin "ANNO" (in the year) engraved on the left hand side of the shield to make it more uniform in appearance. Merlen also made the rococo larger and made the shield itself wider.

There are only sovereigns and half-sovereigns struck during William IV reign, the £2 coin being only for the proof set in 1831.

Sovereigns were issued in all years except 1834. A rare year being 1832.

One thing to watch for is the slight variation on the head of William IV, take special note of the ear, both the shape and the position in relation to the lettering. The earlier issues have the earlobe more fleshy and tilting more towards the chin and the top part of the ear is much less defined than in later years.