2026 UK William IV Merlen Crown 2 Oz Gold Proof

Description

The Royal Mint’s Great Engravers Collection continues with a commemoration of Jean Baptiste Merlen’s reverse design for the 1831 crown.
Jean Baptiste Merlen (1769–1850) began his career at the Paris Mint but left France soon after the Battle of Waterloo. In 1820, William Wellesley Pole recruited him to work with The Royal Mint and assist Benedetto Pistrucci in preparing the coinage for the new king, George IV.
Best known for his reverse designs, including those for the 1820 half-crown and the Maundy Money designs from 1822, Merlen was a skilful engraver and although he retired in 1844, his shield motifs
remained on The Sovereign until 1887.
Celebrated for both its beauty and rarity, the 1831 crown holds a distinguished place in British numismatics. Now, the design has been faithfully recreated using modern techniques and brought to life on the reverse of this new 2026-dated coin.

• The first time Jean Baptiste Merlen’s work has featured in The Royal Mint’s Great Engravers Collection
• Own one of the rarest and most iconic designs in British numismatics
• This modern interpretation has been remastered with the benefit of unique historical insight
• Commemorates an iconic design that is a masterpiece of engraving skill
• The obverse features the official coinage portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings