Gold Half Sovereigns
1831 Royal Mint Proof
22 Carat Gold
William was the last King of Hanover and died in 1837 when the throne passed to his niece Victoria.
The reverse was designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen with an ornate rococo surrounding on a crowned and garnished shield. The obverse was crafted by William Wyon, from a bust designed by Sir Francis Chantry.
225
To prevent confusion between the sixpence and the half-sovereign, the half-sovereign's diameter was reduced slightly, although the weight remained unchanged. The new size may have been chosen as it could use the same master tools as the Maundy fourpence. The change proved unpopular with the public and in 1835 the size was once again increased to 19mm.
Specifications
Sources
| Composition: | 91.67% Gold 8.33% Copper |
| Gold Content: | 0.1177 oz |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Weight: | 3.991 grams |
| Size: | 18.0 mm |
| Reverse: | Jean Baptiste Merlen |
| Obverse: | William Wyon |
| Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins Richard Lobel 1999 Coincraft 44 & 45 Great Russell St London WCIB 3LU United Kingdom |
Standard Catalogue of British Coins Coins of England and the United Kingdom Spink & Son Ltd 2004 69 Southampton Row Bloomsbury London WC1B 4ET United Kingdom |