The William IV Sovereign is a compact part of British coinage. This guide expands our sovereign mintages cornerstone piece with date-by-date figures, bust identification, design, rarity, condition and tax guidance.
What Is A William IV Sovereign?
William IV reigned from 1830 to 1837. Full Sovereigns bearing his portrait were issued from 1831, with no normal full issue dated 1834. A William IV Sovereign is a one-pound coin struck in 22-carat gold. It differs from the smaller Half Sovereign, which follows its own issue pattern.
The series bridges later Georgian coinage and the first Queen Victoria Sovereigns of 1838. See our glossary guide to the Sovereign coin for wider background.
Short Reign
Full William IV Sovereigns were issued across six dates from 1831 to 1837, with no normal full Sovereign dated 1834.
Sovereign Standard
Circulating pieces follow the established 22-carat Sovereign standard at approximately 7.98g and 22.05mm.
London & Shield
The coins were struck at the Royal Mint in London and use Jean Baptiste Merlen’s crowned shield reverse.
William IV Sovereign Specifications At A Glance
The standard circulating William IV Sovereign follows the established full-Sovereign format. No single measurement should be used as a stand-alone authenticity test.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Full Sovereign, nominal value £1 |
| Weight | Approximately 7.98g |
| Fine gold | Approximately 7.322g |
| Fineness | 916.7, or 22 carat |
| Diameter | Approximately 22.05mm |
| Obverse | William Wyon, after Sir Francis Chantrey |
| Reverse | Jean Baptiste Merlen |
| Mint and edge | Royal Mint, London; normally milled on circulation pieces |
Historic wear or damage can alter measurements. Check specifications together with the design, edge and surfaces.
William IV Sovereign Dates And Mintages
The cornerstone page provides a concise three-column summary. This expanded table keeps the same figures but adds the identification point that matters for each William IV Sovereign date.
| Year | Full Sovereign | Half Sovereign | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1831 | 598,547 | None issued | First year. First-bust attribution is important; proof pieces also exist. |
| 1832 | 3,737,065 | None issued | Highest full mintage of the reign; first- and second-bust varieties occur. |
| 1833 | 1,225,269 | None issued | Full Sovereign only. |
| 1834 | None issued | 133,899 | No normal full Sovereign was issued. |
| 1835 | 723,441 | 722,554 | Both denominations were issued. |
| 1836* | 1,714,349 | 146,865 | Both denominations; specialist Half Sovereign varieties require care. |
| 1837 | 1,172,984 | 160,207 | Final date and distinct current CGT treatment. |
The 1832 issue has the highest recorded full mintage; 1831 and 1835 have lower totals. Mintage alone does not establish rarity because survival, variety, finish and condition also matter. Return to the complete Sovereign mintages reference for other monarchs and mints.
How To Identify William IV Sovereign Bust Types
The Royal Mint Museum describes one overall design for the reign. Collectors nevertheless distinguish first- and second-bust varieties within William Wyon’s portrait, rather than treating them as unrelated official portraits.
| Feature | First Bust | Second Bust |
|---|---|---|
| Date Association | Mainly 1831 and some 1832 coins | Later 1832 and subsequent dates |
| Hair | Generally finer | Generally coarser |
| Ear | Usually rounder | Usually flatter or more elongated |
| Alignment | Nose compared with the second “N” in “BRITANNIAR” | Nose compared with the second “I” in “BRITANNIAR” |
Wear, weak striking or cleaning can obscure these features. A William IV Sovereign should be attributed from several diagnostics together.
The William Wyon Portrait And Crowned Shield Reverse
William Wyon’s right-facing, bare-headed portrait was based on a bust by Sir Francis Chantrey. The king’s abbreviated Latin titles surround the obverse, while the date appears after “ANNO” on Jean Baptiste Merlen’s crowned Royal Arms shield reverse.
This is a shield reverse Sovereign, not a St George and the dragon issue. The Royal Mint Museum also records 1831 proof Sovereigns made in fine metal with a plain edge, unlike normal milled-edge circulation pieces.
What Makes A King William IV Gold Coin Rare?
Date and recorded mintage are only starting points. Surviving population, bust or die variety, proof status, grade, originality, provenance and collector demand can all affect desirability. Cleaning, tooling, rim repair or jewellery mounting may reduce appeal.
When researching William IV Sovereign value, compare coins of the same date, variety, finish and broadly similar condition. Avoid fixed values that ignore these differences. See our guide to rare Sovereigns.
Is A William IV Sovereign Exempt From Capital Gains Tax?
HMRC currently treats Sovereigns minted in 1837 and later as sterling currency, while pre-1837 coins are non-currency chattels. The date therefore changes the position across this short reign.
| Dates | Current HMRC Treatment | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1831 To 1836 | Pre-1837 Sovereigns are treated as chattels, not sterling currency. | They do not receive the automatic sterling-currency exemption, although chattels rules may apply. |
| 1837 | Sovereigns minted in 1837 and later are treated as sterling currency. | The 1837 issue is exempt from CGT under current HMRC guidance. |
Check HMRC’s current Capital Gains guidance before relying on the exemption. VAT is separate: investment-gold treatment depends on purity, legal-tender history and the normal selling price relative to the contained gold. Highly collectable pieces should not automatically be described as VAT exempt.
How To Check Condition And Authenticity
Compare weight and diameter with the expected specification, then inspect the edge, rim, lettering, portrait and shield. Look for seams, casting texture, tooling, filled marks, polishing, cleaning and mounting traces. Actual-coin photographs and transparent descriptions are important.
Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine and Uncirculated are broad grading terms, not exact measurements. Certification can assist, but it should not replace inspection of the coin and its disclosed history.
Buying And Storing Historic Sovereign Coins
Use a reputable source that identifies the date, variety and condition and discloses repairs or cleaning. When comparing gold Sovereign coins, separate the collector premium from the contained gold value and retain invoices and grading records.
Use inert holders, avoid touching or cleaning the surfaces and review insurance. Professional bullion storage may suit larger holdings where custody and cover are documented.
William IV FAQs
Which Years Were William IV Sovereigns Issued?
Full Sovereigns were dated 1831, 1832, 1833, 1835, 1836 and 1837.
Why Was There No 1834 William IV Full Sovereign?
No normal full issue is recorded for 1834, although 133,899 Half Sovereigns were issued.
What Is The Difference Between The First And Second Bust?
They are collector varieties within one wider portrait design, distinguished through the hair, ear and portrait alignment.
Are All William IV Sovereigns CGT Exempt?
No. HMRC currently distinguishes the exempt 1837 issue from the earlier coins, which are treated as chattels.
Assessing A Historic Sovereign
Each coin should be assessed individually rather than valued only by age or gold content. For a historic Sovereign enquiry, speak to Gold Bullion Partners about identification, acquisition and secure ownership.
