William IV Phantom Sovereign

[hactonhouse 0]

Recently bought a coin/token described as a phantom sovereign.

Head of William IV with the words 'crowned Sep 8 1831' on one side.

On the reverse George and the Dragon with the words 'by trampling on liberty I lost the reins'.

The coin is about sovereign size but made of copper.

I do not intend to sell the coin so I am not interested in a value.

I am interested in the words 'trampling on history...'

Can anyone shed any information on the story behind it?

Have attached scans but they have not come out very well.

regards,

John

[Chris Perkins 228]

A reference to the 'Great' Reform bill becoming law at about that time? I don't know.

[hactonhouse 0]

Thanks Chris.

You may well be right.

The prime minister of the time, the Duke of Wellington,

was not popular.

It may well be he who is depicted and not St George.

Find it very hard to believe an elected prime minister

was not popular with the nation!

Any suggestions for a modern day equivalent?

regards,

[Geoff T 3]

This is a fairly common non-official coronation medal of William IV. I've never heard it described as a phantom sovereign, although it is roughly the same size.

Geoff