George III (1760–1820), gold Half Guinea, 1804, features the seventh laureate portrait of King George III facing right on the obverse, surrounded by a Latin legend and toothed border reading "GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA." The reverse displays a quartered shield of arms with a crowned escutcheon representing the arms of Hanover, all enclosed within a crowned garter bearing the Old French motto "HONI. SOIT. QUI. MAL. Y. PENSE." The date appears below, while the surrounding Latin legend begins at the upper right and reads "BRITANNIARUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR." 

The Latin inscriptions translate as:

• Obverse: "George the Third by the Grace of God."

• Reverse: "King of the Britons, Defender of the Faith."
  The garter motto translates to "Shame on him who thinks evil of it."

This pleasing example exhibits an attractive light orange hue, particularly on the reverse, and represents a scarcer die variety (Iverson dies 2/A). It has been encased and graded by NGC as MS64.

Historical Context:
The 1804 Half Guinea was minted during a year that saw extensive coinage production, with £718,397 worth of gold issued for currency Half and Third Guineas—the highest output for this type of Half Guinea. These coins were integral to British currency during the Napoleonic Wars.

This coin is highly sought after for its historical significance, artistic design, and scarcity among collectors.

NGC Certification 6340068-002.