Information about effigy: King George IV - Laureate Head by Benedetto Pistrucci

This effigy depicts the laureate and draped bust of King George IV facing left, as designed by Benedetto Pistrucci.

The monarch's head is adorned by a laurel wreath, with a tie displaying loop and two ends; his hair is short and the neck is bare; his tunic is held by a circular brooch.

On some denominations, there are small letters B.P. below the neck truncation representing the artist's initials.

In 1825 the king objected to the continuance of Pistrucci’s portrait which he found distasteful because of the puffed face, thick neck and wiry hair. William Wyon was commissioned to produce a new design which was used on the higher denominations from 1825 and the farthings from 1826; this portrait remained in use on the Maundy coinage until the king's death.

Laureate Head by Benedetto Pistrucci on copper coin

United Kingdom / Farthing 1821

On copper coinage, the Laureate Head of King George IV by Benedetto Pistrucci was only issued on the farthing denominations. The penny and halfpenny were not issued before it was supplanted by the new effigy by Wyon in 1826.

There are no designer's initials.

Laureate Head by Benedetto Pistrucci on gold coin

United Kingdom / Half Sovereign 1821

On gold coinage, the Laureate Head of King George IV by Benedetto Pistrucci displays the designer's initials B.P. below the neck truncation.

Laureate Head by Benedetto Pistrucci on gold coin

United Kingdom / Halfcrown 1823 Second Issue

On large silver coinage, the Laureate Head of King George IV by Benedetto Pistrucci also displays the designer's initials B.P. below the neck truncation.