The mount is titled: GEORGIUS · IV · D · G · BRITANNIARUM · REX; the reverse of the medallion: GOD SAVE THE KING / CROWNED / JULY XIX / MDCCCXXI The bust of the king has been cut down from a medallion signed by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. The inscription on the mount transcribes the cut circumscription of the medallion. The medallion celebrates the coronation of George IV, the obverse showing a profile portrait of the monarch in classical guise, wearing a toga and laurel crown. On the reverse the wreath that frames the commemorative inscription incorporates roses, thistles and shamrock, emblematic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland – established by the Act of Union in 1801 – together with sprays of laurel and  corn, symbolising peace and plenty. Above is the coronation crown, designed by Philippe Liebart and ‘prepared in Obedience to HIS MAJESTY’S most Gracious Commands by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’. After the ceremony the stones, hired for the occasion, were removed from the frame of the crown and sold as ‘diamonds from the coronation’. Below is the White Horse of Hanover (Sachsenross), referencing George IV’s other kingdom. In the period between George IV’s accession in January 1820 and late 1821, when the present medallion was issued, royal presentation boxes of this form were fitted with an earlier medallion, Thomas Wyon junior’s ‘George Prince of Wales. Regent’ representation of 1814. In such instances the out-of-date circumscription was cut, as may be seen on the snuffbox given by the king to Henry, 1st Marquess Conyngham (1766–1832) in 1820. The lid of this box, like the present example, is chased with the national emblems of the rose, thistle and shamrock.

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