Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 122 15-16 Jun 2021
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Great Britain. Sovereign, 1837. S.3829B; Fr-383; KM-717. Weight 0.2355 ounce. William IV. Bare head right. Reverse; Crowned shield. PCGS graded AU-55. In special PCGS Ship of Gold holder which contains One Pinch of Gold Dust recovered from the S.S. Central America treasure.
Special PCGS number 674262.55/35474720. Estimated Value $1,250 - UP
On 20 June 1837, William IV, the third son of George III died without a legitimate heir (although he left behind at least eight illegitimate children by the actress Dorothea Jordan). Lacking any surviving sons or daughters of his own through his marriage to Adelaide of Saxe-Meinigen, the succession to the throne of the United Kingdom devolved upon his 18-year-old niece, Victoria of Kent. Although the United Kingdom had been united to the German Kingdom of Hanover since the time of George I (1714-1727), the medieval Salic Law that governed succession in Hanover did not recognize female heirs and thus the link between the two kingdoms was severed with the death of William IV.
While the succession of Queen Victoria was by far the most important event in Great Britain in 1837, this year was notable for several major advancements. In February, a government inquiry into postal reform began to discuss the possibility of carrying letters in a separate sheet of folded paper with a "bit of paper" affixed to indicate that the cost of postage had been paid. From this discussion evolved the first envelopes and postage stamps, which were introduced in 1840. Other advancements of 1837 involved the breaking of racial barriers. On 17 August, John Kent became the first black police officer in the United Kingdom and on 9 November, Moses Montefiore became the first Jew to receive a knighthood, thanks to his assistance in financing the government's Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 and other philanthropic work.
Special PCGS number 674262.55/35474720. Estimated Value $1,250 - UP
On 20 June 1837, William IV, the third son of George III died without a legitimate heir (although he left behind at least eight illegitimate children by the actress Dorothea Jordan). Lacking any surviving sons or daughters of his own through his marriage to Adelaide of Saxe-Meinigen, the succession to the throne of the United Kingdom devolved upon his 18-year-old niece, Victoria of Kent. Although the United Kingdom had been united to the German Kingdom of Hanover since the time of George I (1714-1727), the medieval Salic Law that governed succession in Hanover did not recognize female heirs and thus the link between the two kingdoms was severed with the death of William IV.
While the succession of Queen Victoria was by far the most important event in Great Britain in 1837, this year was notable for several major advancements. In February, a government inquiry into postal reform began to discuss the possibility of carrying letters in a separate sheet of folded paper with a "bit of paper" affixed to indicate that the cost of postage had been paid. From this discussion evolved the first envelopes and postage stamps, which were introduced in 1840. Other advancements of 1837 involved the breaking of racial barriers. On 17 August, John Kent became the first black police officer in the United Kingdom and on 9 November, Moses Montefiore became the first Jew to receive a knighthood, thanks to his assistance in financing the government's Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 and other philanthropic work.