1837 Half-Crown – William IV

1837 Halfcrown William IV Obverse

The 1837 Half-Crown - William IV

William IV Silver Half-Crown (on coin as Gulielmus IIII). No circulation crowns were issued in the reign of William IV (although there were some very rare proof versions) so the half-crown was the biggest denomination in general circulation.

This design was used over the years 1831-1837 and is one of the key dates. SCBC 3834.

The Obverse is by William Wyon (initials 'WW' on truncation of neck). The image is the bare head of King William IV facing right. Legend around: "GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:".

The Reverse, by  Jean B. Merlen, shows a crowned shield bearing the Royal Arms on mantle, at the base the Collar of the Garter. Below: ANNO 1837.

Image credit: Museums Victoria


Mintage: Not known
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1837 ?
The Monarch is King William IV until his death on 20 June. As none of his ten surviving children being legitimate the throne goes to his 18-year-old niece, Princess Victoria of Kent becomes Queen Victoria. The Prime Minister is William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (Whig) and continues after the 18 August General election. Charles Dickens serialises Oliver Twist.

In the USA, the 7th President Andrew Jackson (D-Tennessee) ends his second term and on March 4 it is Martin Van Buren (D-New York). Richard Johnson becomes the only Vice President of the United States chosen by the Senate. Inventor John Deere starts his agricultural equipment business.
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: Half-Crowns
The half crown was a British coin which was valued at "2/6" (two shilling and sixpence) – 12½ pence in modern currency. It was literally half the value of the Crown.

Half crowns were first issued around 1549 in gold or silver. It was then issued by the majority of Monarchs (plus Oliver Cromwell) all the way through to Elizabeth II. The last standard mintage was in 1967 and the coin was officially demonetised in 1970, one year before full decimalisation. A proof half crown was released in 1970.

The halfcrown was a large coin, from 1816 to it’s final minting having a diameter of 32mm and weight of 14.1g. In pre-decimalised Britain when the Crown was essentially a commemorative coin, the half crown was the largest denomination coin in circulation and had considerable spending power.

Before 1920, half crowns were actual sterling (92.5%) silver. This was reduced to 50% silver and in 1947 no silver at all was used and cupro-nickel became standard.

Half crowns are beautiful coins to collect and due to their long history they are very popular. As pre-1920 coins are 92.5% silver even worn copies will have the intrinsic price of the metal but they are still very affordable to most people.
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 Half-Crowns page on eBay UK
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1837 King William IV British Silver Halfcrown Coin - Very Fine - SPINK 3834
1837 King William IV British Silver Halfcrown Coin - Very Fine - SPINK 3834
£ 129.99
1837 William IV Milled Silver Plated Half Crown Coin
1837 William IV Milled Silver Plated Half Crown Coin
£ 6.99
1837 British William IIII Silver Half Crown Coin
1837 British William IIII Silver Half Crown Coin
£ 119.75
1837 Halfcrown, A pleasing, even example, the scarcest date of the reign.
1837 Halfcrown, A pleasing, even example, the scarcest date of the reign.
£ 90.00
George III Half Crown 1817
George III Half Crown 1817
£ 15.00
William IIII or IV Half Crown 1837 F Silver  W.W in Script Coin With Hole
William IIII or IV Half Crown 1837 F Silver  W.W in Script Coin With Hole
£ 23.50
1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Silver Half Crown, EF
1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Silver Half Crown, EF
£ 70.00
S3834 1837 William IV Half Crown, Fine
S3834 1837 William IV Half Crown, Fine
£ 195.00

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