William IV Coins

King William IV History

Born in 1765, King William IV was the third child of King George III. His older brothers were expected to inherit the throne, and William joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13. Being so far down the line of succession William had an unapproved relationship with Irish actress Dorothea Bland, they had ten illegitimate children known as the 'FitzClarence's'.

When his brother, King George IV, died in 1830 without a successor William became King at the age of 64, the oldest person yet to assume the throne. He soon proved himself a hard worker, garnering praise from then Prime Minister, Arthur Wellesley. The reforms that took place during his reign saw the ascendancy in power of the House of Commons, and the decline of the House of Lords.

Towards the end of his reign coins were issued from various mints in India, and interestingly bear the name 'William IIII' rather than the official William IV, as used in Britain. These coins are quite rare, being issued late in an already short reign.

King William IV died in 1837 at Windsor Castle. As he had no living legitimate issue the throne passed on to his niece, Queen Victoria.