George III "Incorrupta" crown 1817

This is a silver coin of King George III, designed by William Wyon in 1817, during a period of immense social and political change. The early 19th century in Britain was defined by the aftershocks of both the Napoleonic Wars and the ongoing Industrial Revolution. This coin presents George III in profile, adorned with a laurel wreath, evoking classical ideals of leadership and victory. Yet, it's important to remember that this image was carefully crafted. The King was, by this time, struggling with mental illness, a fact which was hidden from much of the public. Wyon's design, with its inscription "Incorrupta," meaning "untainted" or "unspoiled," seeks to portray an image of enduring, untarnished power. But consider what might lie beneath this veneer of incorruptibility. What anxieties and vulnerabilities are being masked by this classical facade? The coin offers a window into the complex relationship between power, representation, and the often-hidden realities of the human condition.