1/2 Sovereign - George IV 2nd reverse

The "2nd reverse" designation refers to a die modification introduced partway through this short run, distinguishing it from the inaugural 1823 type. George IV's half sovereigns of this period were produced under the direction of engraver Jean-Baptiste Merlen, who worked under William Wyon at the Royal Mint following the Pistrucci disputes — Benedetto Pistrucci having been effectively sidelined from sovereign coinage after refusing to copy another engraver's portrait.

Mintages across the 1823–1825 run were modest, and the type was superseded when the bare-head coinage was introduced in 1825.