Information about effigy: Laureate bust by Benedetto Pistrucci (Bull Head)

The massive re-coinage programme by the Royal Mint in 1816 necessitated a new effigy of the monarch. Pistrucci's initial portrait of King George III has become known to collectors as the "bull-head George". He could not engrave it from life since King George III was insane.

The design met such public hostility that it was withdrawn and replaced with a new one the next year.

On most coins of the time the "small head" portrait is used, which does not show the King's bare shoulders.

Note: Collectors Coins GB says the author was Thomas Wyon, while Pistrucci designed the small portrait which replaced this one in 1817.