William IV Silver Groat ("Joey") 1836 (EF)

William IV (1830-1837) was known as the ‘Sailor King’. The William IV Silver Groat coin, minted in 1836, earned the nickname “Joey” due to the influence of Joseph Hume, an MP who advocated for its introduction. Originally, the groat (worth four pence) was convenient for paying cab fares. However, it fell out of favor with cab drivers, who now received a straightforward fourpence as payment instead of the previous sixpence. The silver threepence, introduced in 1845, proved more popular, rendering both coins unnecessary. Nevertheless, the Joey remains a fascinating piece of numismatic history! The Monarch’s portrait and Britannia symbolize British identity and stability during this period.

Weight 1.9g

(ref:AHC123)