Great Britain 1829 George IV AV Gold Full Sovereign Second Type (bare head), S3801.
About Very Fine with traces of brilliance.
The 1829 gold sovereign was the tenth and penultimate sovereign to be issued during the reign of King George IV.
Obverse: bare head portrait of King George IV by William Wyon. The inscription reads "GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA". Also includes small oval flowers which separate the inscription from the date, which is inscribed below the portrait.
Reverse: Jean Baptiste Merlen's design of a crowned shield. The inscription reads "BRITANNIARIUM REX FID: DEF".
Gold Weight Troy Ounces: 0.235.
Spink Coins of England catalogue value: £1,850.
George IV, eldest son of George III, was born on 12 August 1762 and could not have been more contrasting to his father. He was famous for being extravagant and was a big influence on the fashion of the time, which became known as the "Regency" style.
He was also a big collector and acquired many important works of Art, which now reside in the Royal Collection. He was also responsible for building the Royal Pavilion at Brighton and he transformed Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.
George was known for his love life and numerous mistresses. He eventually entered into an arranged marriage with Caroline of Brunswick. They became estranged and Caroline lived separately in Italy with their only daughter. On George's accession to the throne in 1820, she returned to claim her place as Queen. George, however, banned her from ever being crowned, and he died without ever conceiving a son on 26 June 1830, when his younger brother William ascended the throne.
