William IV - 4 Pence 1837 Kingdom of Great Britain

Issuer: Great Britain
Type: Standard circulation coin 
Years: 1837 (1836-1837)
Value: 4 pence = 1/3 shilling = 1/60 livre (1/40 LSD)
Composition: Silver (0.925)
Weight: 1.8 g
Diameter: 16 mm
Grade: VF25
Mintage: 962,200
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
References: KM# 723, Sp# 3837

Obverse:
Uncrowned portrait of King William IV right, legend around.

Lettering: GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR REX F:D:

Translation: William the Fourth by the Grace of God King of Britain Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: William Wyon.

Reverse:
Seated figure of Britannia right, trident in left hand, shield in right hand, denomination around, date in exergue.

Lettering:
FOUR PENCE
1837

Engraver: William Wyon. 

Edge:
Reeded.

Note: plain varieties exist.

Comments:
The standard weight of this coin was 2/33 troy ounce or 29.1 grains.

Since the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, production or fourpence pieces or groats was irregular at best. Towards the end of William IV's reign, they were reintroduced to general circulation. There are some reports stating that they were initially struck for use in British Guiana where they were equivalent to 1/4 guilder and others suggest that the groat returned to domestic circulation in 1836 but in either case they were the only silver coin to bear the figure of Britannia on the reverse.

According to various sources, the fourpence or groat was given the nickname 'Joey' after Joseph Hume, MP for Weymouth, Dorset, who successfully campaigned for the reintroduction of the groat in 1836. It is said that the average handsome cab fare in London at the time was fourpence and if the passenger tendered a sixpence, the cabbies would often either keep the twopence as a gratuity or give 16 half farthings in return.

Referencia : KM# 723, Sp# 3837

Fuente : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces1...

Colección : William IV - King of Great Britain & Ireland (1830-1837)