United Kingdom: Coin Sovereign 1830 George IV - detailed information

The reform coinage Sovereign of 1817 onward was issued as a normal circulation type coin, and also as a proof.

Pistrucci's laureate portrait of George IV, used on the sovereign 1821-25, earned the king's ire, perhaps because the engraver accurately depicted the king's obesity. A slimmer portrait by William Wyon was used 1825-30 and is shown here. All the dates are scarce.

The only other British coinage dated 1830 is the silver one through four pence issued in the Maundy sets.

Bare head of King George IV facing left; around, the legend GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA (George the Fourth, by the Grace of God); the inscription begins and ends with a small oval flower stop; below, the date 1830.

A garnished shield, surmounted by the royal crown, bearing the Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom. The Hanoverian arms within an escutcheon surmounted by the royal crown in the centre of the shield. The rest of the monarch's legend (continuing from the obverse), reading BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF: (King of the Britains, Defender of the Faith).

References to additional information:

[Book] Remick, Jerome. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins, Regency Coins and Stamps Ltd, Winnipeg, Canada, 1971, p257
[Book] Marsh, Michael A. The Gold Sovereign. Cambridge Coins, Cambridge, UK, 1980. (2017 ed. pp 18-20)