Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); Shield of Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.216)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1831
The two-pound piece in this reign was only struck as a pater in 1831. Again, as in the last reign, a limited number of proof sets were struck, and this coin was included in the sets. Since it never went into circulation it is properly called a pattern. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.216: Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse), 1831. Engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850), William Wyon (British, 1795–1851). Gold; diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.). Inscribed: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: GULIELMUS IIII D: G: (William the Fourth by the Grace of God King of the Britains Defender of the Faith); ANNO 1831. Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This is the largest gold coin issued during his brief reign.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: GULIELMUS IIII D: G: (William the Fourth by the Grace of God King of the Britains Defender of the Faith); ANNO 1831
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1831
- Culture period
- England, William IV, 1830-1837
- Maker recorded
- Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850), William Wyon (British, 1795–1851)
- Museum attribution
- Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850); William Wyon (British, 1795–1851)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.216
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. [Catalog. 1968.] p. 73
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.