![George III, 'Inaugural' Half Sovereign, 1817 [ECM-264R] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ECM-264R-1.jpg)
Description
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, George III of the House of Hanover, King of the United Kingdom 1760-1820 AD, Gold Half Sovereign (3.99g, 19mm), 1817, New Coinage, Royal mint, London. Obverse: Laureate head of King George III facing to the right, date below, legend surrounds, “GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA”. Reverse: Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, as borne by King George III, surmounted by Saint Edward’s Crown, legend surrounds, “BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:”. March-400; Bull ECG-928; S-3786. Calendar year mintage of 2,080,197. A charming inaugural year half sovereign, evenly worn and most attractive in hand, some residual reverse lustre, near Extremely Fine.
The Latin legend spanning across obverse and reverse is the royal titulature of King George III, reading unabridged as “Geōrgius Tertius, Deī Grātiā, Britanniārum Rēx, Fideī Dēfēnsor”, with an English translation of “George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of the British People, Defender of the Faith”.
