Royal Proclamation - Making Provisions for Coinage Following Alterations in the Royal Arms [1837-07-26]

Victoria, R.

Whereas King George the Third by His Royal Proclamation, bearing date the first day of January One thousand eight hundred and one did by and with the advice of His Privy Council amongst other things appoint and declare that with the Arms and Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland there should be borne on an Escocheon of Pretense the Arms of His Majesty’s Dominions in Germany ensigned with the Electoral Bonnet, and that the Standard of the said United Kingdom should be the same Quarterings as were therein declared to be the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of the said United Kingdom with the Escocheon of Pretense thereon thereinbefore described; and that the Arms or Ensigns Armorial aforesaid should be used thenceforth as far as conveniently might be, on all occasions wherein His Majesty’s Arms or Ensigns Armorial ought to be used: And whereas His said Majesty having in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, substituted to His ancient Title of Elector of the Holy Roman Empire the Title of King of Hanover, it was thought fit that an alteration should be made in His Majesty’s Arms or Ensigns Armorial, and it was therefore, by and with the advice of His Majesty’s Privy Council accordingly declared by a Royal Proclamation bearing date the eighth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, that instead of the Arms of His Majesty’s Dominions in Germany ensigned with the Electoral Bonnet as directed by His Majesty’s Proclamation above mentioned there should thenceforth be used and borne with the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of His Majesty’s said United Kingdom, on an Escocheon of Pretense the Arms of His Majesty’s Dominions in Germany ensigned with the Hanoverian Royal Crown, and that the Standard of the said United Kingdom should be the same Quarterings as by His Majesty’s said Proclamation were declared to be the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of the said United Kingdom with the Escocheon of Pretense ensigned with the said Hanoverian Crown instead of the Electoral Bonnet: And whereas upon the demise of His late most Sacred Majesty the German Dominions of His late Majesty have passed from the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and devolved upon His Royal Highness Prince Ernest Augustus Duke of Cumberland now King of Hanover, We have thought fit by and with the advice of Our Privy Council to declare that henceforth the Shield or Escocheon of Pretense representing His late Majesty’s Dominions in Germany and ensigned with the Hanoverian Royal Crown shall be omitted and the Shield left to contain the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland only: But nevertheless it is Our Will and Pleasure that all such Gold Silver and Copper Monies as on the day before the twenty sixth day of this instant July were current and lawful monies of Great Britain and all such Gold, Silver and Copper Monies as shall on or after this day be coined by Our authority, with the like Impressions until Our Will and Pleasure shall be otherwise declared shall be deemed and taken to be current and lawful monies of the said United Kingdom in Great Britain; and that all such Gold Silver and Copper Monies as on the day before the twenty sixth day of this instant July were current and lawful monies of Ireland and all such Gold Silver and Copper monies as shall on or after this day be coined by Our Authority with the like Impressions, until Our Will and Pleasure shall be otherwise declared, shall be deemed and taken to be current and lawful monies of the said United Kingdom in Ireland; and all such monies as shall have been coined for and issued in any of the Dominions of the said United Kingdom and declared by Royal Proclamation to be current and lawful money of such Dominions respectively bearing His late Majesty’s Arms or Ensigns Armorial or any part or parts thereof, and all monies which shall hereafter be coined and issued according to such proclamations, shall continue to be lawful and current money of such Dominions respectively, notwithstanding such change in Our Arms or Armorial Bearings respectively as aforesaid, until Our Pleasure shall be further declared thereupon; and all and every such monies as aforesaid shall be received and taken in payment in Great Britain and Ireland respectively and in the Dominions thereunto belonging after the date of this Proclamation, in such manner and as of the like Value and Denomination as the same were received and taken before the date hereof. And it is also Our Will and Pleasure that the several Dies and Marks which have been used to denote the Stamp Duties, and all other Stamps and Marks and Instruments which before the issuing of this Proclamation shall be in actual use, for any public purpose, and in which His late Majesty’s Arms or Ensigns Armorial, or any parts or part thereof respectively, may be expressed, shall not by reason of this Proclamation or any thing therein contained, by changed or altered until the same may be conveniently so changed or altered or until Our Pleasure shall be further declared thereon; but that all such Dies Stamps Marks and Instruments respectively, bearing His late Majesty’s Arms or Ensigns Armorial, used before this twenty sixth day of July instant, or any parts or part of such Arms or Ensigns Armorial, shall have the like force and effect as the same had before the said twenty sixth day of July instant.

Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace this twenty sixth day of July One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and in the First year of Our Reign.

God save the Queen.