Lichfield District Council
Commemorative Medallion - Coronation of William IV and Queen Adelaide - by Edward Thomason of Birmingham, 1830 (Reverse) (54mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.37.68 rev.
A list of Britain's Kings and Queen's often appears rather simple. Just a predictable, stable list of names inheriting the crown.
The reality was often very different to this, with this medallion being evidence of the unpredictability of succession. It is a white metal medal produced by Edward Thomason of Birmingham to celebrate the coronation of William IV and Queen Adelaide in 1830.
William IV, reigned as King of Great Britain from 1830-1837. As the third son of George III, William was never intended to be king, however due to his older brothers having no legitimate children, William ascended to the throne at the age of 64 following the death of his brother George IV.
In his earlier life, William had produced 11 illegitimate children. However upon recognising that he would inherit the throne, he set about attempting to produce a legitimate heir. As such he married the 25 year old Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818, at the age of 50. However none of the couple's children survived infancy. As a result, William was also without a legitimate heir. This resulted in William being succeeded on his death by his niece Queen Victoria. Chance and misfortune had therefore led to one of Britain's most famous monarchs.
The obverse of the medallion features a bareheaded bust of William IV. The bust is in profile and facing right. It is accompanied by the legend: "HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY WILLIAM IV 1830".
The reverse features a bust of Queen Adelaide in profile and facing right. The bust is wearing a dress and is bareheaded with her hair tied behind her head. It is accompanied by the legend: "HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN ADELAIDE 1830".
This is one of two matching medallions within Lichfield's collection (1983.37.68 and 1983.37.45).
Commemorative Medallion - Coronation of William IV and Queen Adelaide - by Edward Thomason of Birmingham, 1830 (Reverse) (54mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.37.68 rev.
A list of Britain's Kings and Queen's often appears rather simple. Just a predictable, stable list of names inheriting the crown.
The reality was often very different to this, with this medallion being evidence of the unpredictability of succession. It is a white metal medal produced by Edward Thomason of Birmingham to celebrate the coronation of William IV and Queen Adelaide in 1830.
William IV, reigned as King of Great Britain from 1830-1837. As the third son of George III, William was never intended to be king, however due to his older brothers having no legitimate children, William ascended to the throne at the age of 64 following the death of his brother George IV.
In his earlier life, William had produced 11 illegitimate children. However upon recognising that he would inherit the throne, he set about attempting to produce a legitimate heir. As such he married the 25 year old Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818, at the age of 50. However none of the couple's children survived infancy. As a result, William was also without a legitimate heir. This resulted in William being succeeded on his death by his niece Queen Victoria. Chance and misfortune had therefore led to one of Britain's most famous monarchs.
The obverse of the medallion features a bareheaded bust of William IV. The bust is in profile and facing right. It is accompanied by the legend: "HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY WILLIAM IV 1830".
The reverse features a bust of Queen Adelaide in profile and facing right. The bust is wearing a dress and is bareheaded with her hair tied behind her head. It is accompanied by the legend: "HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN ADELAIDE 1830".
This is one of two matching medallions within Lichfield's collection (1983.37.68 and 1983.37.45).