1834 Sixpence – William IV

1834 Sixpence William IV Reverse

The 1834 Sixpence - William IV

Silver sixpence of King William IV minted at the Royal Mint in London. Diameter 19mm and weight 2.8g. SCBC 3836. Variations include a large date and there is a milled edge proof.

As the size of the 1834 sixpence was about that of the  half-sovereign, to prevent confusion the 1834 half-sovereign was reduced in diameter from 19.4mm to 17.9mm, although the weight remained the same. The public didn't like the idea, so the half-sovereign returned to its normal diameter the following year.

The Obverse shows the bare head of William IV facing right. It was designed by William Wyon.

The edge is plain. Note that the proof version has a milled edge. Legend "GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:".

The Reverse shows the crowned words "SIX PENCE" inside a wreath of laurel and oak. Below the date, 1834.

Image credit: Museums Victoria


Mintage: Not known
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1834 ?
The Monarch is William IV. Amazingly, we had 4 Prime Minsters: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (Whig) (until 16 July); William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (Whig) (starting 14 November); Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (Tory) (starting 10 December); and Robert Peel (Conservative) (starting 10 December). USA President is Andrew Jackson (D-Tennessee). the Tolpuddle Martyrs (six Dorset farm labourers) are sentenced to be transported to a penal colony for forming a trade union. Harrods founded (as a grocer) in Stepney, London.
William IV (1830-1837)
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. He was the third son of King George III, born 21 August 1765. William married Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen and had two daughters (Charlotte and Elizabeth) but was also known to have ten illegitimate children with actress Dorithea Jordan.

Note that on coins, William IV is often written as GULIELMUS IIII. William IV is sometimes known as the 'Sailor King'. On his death the throne passed to his niece, Victoria.
Category: Sixpences

The Sixpence (half a shilling) was a British silver coin that was first minted 1551 and virtually continuously until decimalisation in 1971. They were often known as 'tanners'. They are small coins, the last minted had a diameter of about 19.4 mm.

Specifications:

  • Year Minted: 1551-1970
  • Diameter: 19.41 mm
  • Weight: 2.83g (1816-1970)
  • Edge: Milled
  • Metal: 
    • 1551–1816: Silver
    • 1816–1920: 92.5% Silver
    • 1920–1946: 50% Silver
    • 1947–1970 Cupronickel. Zero Silver

In today's money they are 2½p. It doesn't sound much but at the time it was a weeks pocket money! It was a popular coin when in circulation and is now popular with collectors as it has a long history and many nice specimens can be obtained at affordable prices.

Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
If you don't see a coin in the list below try the Sixpences page on eBay UK
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1834 William IV Sixpence Coin #2891
1834 William IV Sixpence Coin #2891
£ 23.00
1834 William IV Silver Sixpence Coin Holed
1834 William IV Silver Sixpence Coin Holed
£ 7.95
1834 William IV 0.925 Silver Six Pence Coin
1834 William IV 0.925 Silver Six Pence Coin
£ 15.00
1834 William IV Milled Silver Sixpence, A/EF
1834 William IV Milled Silver Sixpence, A/EF
£ 125.00
Antique William IV 1834 United Kingdom Silver Sixpence Coin
Antique William IV 1834 United Kingdom Silver Sixpence Coin
£ 60.00
William IV Sixpence, 1834 (S 3836)
William IV Sixpence, 1834 (S 3836)
£ 25.00
1834 WILLIAM IV SILVER SIXPENCE IN NEAR VERY FINE OR BETTER CONDITION.
1834 WILLIAM IV SILVER SIXPENCE IN NEAR VERY FINE OR BETTER CONDITION.
£ 36.00
1834 William IV Sixpence | British Silver Coin | Fine Collectable Grade | a386
1834 William IV Sixpence | British Silver Coin | Fine Collectable Grade | a386
£ 36.76

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