This four-coin gold set pays tribute to the artistry of Jean Baptiste Merlen. The 2026 commemorative coin celebrating his heraldic reverse for the 1831 William IV crown is presented alongside three original Sovereigns that reflect the period in which Merlen’s distinctive shield designs adorned British coins. 

The William IV Sovereign included in the set features the engraver’s crowned-mantle shield – the same design that has been faithfully reinterpreted for the 2026 commemorative coin. In contrast, the Sovereigns from the reigns of George IV and Queen Victoria display versions of Merlen’s enduring ‘shield back’ design, a motif that became a familiar presence on gold coinage across successive British reigns. 

Presented together, the coins highlight the refined neoclassicism that characterises the engraver’s work.