King William IV era penny - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

penny

William IV

1830 to 1837

Values, images, and specifications for British

penny coins from 1830 to 1837.

William IV became king in

1830 at age 62 after the death

of his brother (George IV),

who had no surviving heirs.

The first King William IV

United Kingdom penny was

minted in 1831, and the

last in 1837.

The King William IV era UK penny obverse features the

bare head of William IV facing right, with the date below.

The reverse shows the helmed Britannia, seated facing

right, holding a trident, her hand resting on a shield.

In the exergue below is a rose, thistle, and shamrock,

symbolising the union of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Dubbed 'the sailor king' for his naval service in his

younger years, William had not expected to be King.

William did not marry, due primarily to the Royal

Marriages Act of 1772, which forbade decendants

of George II from marriage without consent from the

monarch, or privy council. William did have a defacto

relationship producing many children. None were

considered legitimate, so had no claim on the throne.

1 penny = 1/12 of a shilling = 1/240 of a pound

dates not minted: 1830, 1832, 1833, 1835, 1836