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2 Pence - George III 2nd issue; 'Cartwheel'

Features

Issuer United Kingdom
King George III (1760-1820)
Type Standard circulation coins
Year 1797
Value 2 Pence (1⁄120)
Currency Pound sterling (1158-1971)
Composition Copper
Weight 56.7 g
Diameter 41 mm
Thickness 5 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized 31 December 1869
Number
N#
1287
References KM# 619
Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).
, Sp# 3776
Standard Catalogue of British Coins (37 volumes).

Obverse

Laureate and draped portrait of King George III right, legend around on raised rim.

Script: Latin

Lettering: GEORGIUS III · D:G · REX.

Unabridged legend: Georgius III Dei Gratia Rex

Translation: George the Third by the Grace of God King

Engraver: Conrad Heinrich Küchler

Reverse

Seated figure of Britannia facing left, trident in left hand, olive branch in raised right hand, shield bearing Union flag resting on left, sea behind with ship on left, mint name below shield, legend above and date below on raised rim.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
BRITANNIA.
SOHO
1797

Engraver: Conrad Heinrich Küchler

Edge

Plain

2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel') -  obverse

© Timbrimi

Mint

SOHO Soho Mint, Handsworth, England (1788-1850)

Comments

The largest regal coin to circulate in Britain, these pieces were produced by Matthew Boulton using a steam powered press at the Soho mint in Birmingham beginning in 1797.

From 1770 until the end of the 18th century the practice of melting down the official copper coins and making lightweight forgeries had become so widespread that it prompted industrialist Matthew Boulton to offer a potential solution. He proposed that each coin should actually be made to contain its value in copper (two ounces avoirdupois), that the quality should be improved by using a retaining collar during striking (to give a perfectly round coin) and by designing the coins with thick raised borders to prevent them wearing so easily.

This type was struck in copper by Boulton for several years after 1797 with no change in date, along with some later strikes in a variety of metals. Further restrikes were produced by W.J. Taylor when he bought the dies in 1848; the chief way these later issues can be distinguished is by marks resulting from die corrosion.

The sheer weight of these coins means that they are very susceptable to edge knocks. They were found to be too heavy for regular use and no more copper or bronze twopence coins were struck until decimalisation in 1971.

See also

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Date Mintage G VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1797  Photo 722 100 $ 11 $ 19 $ 27 $ 49 $ 69 $ 260 $ 790 97%
1797  Bronzed proof 0.5%
1797  Copper proof 0.6%
1797  Gilt copper proof 0.09%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Examples of the type

Picture 1 of the example of 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel') Picture 2 of the example of 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
© david916
1797 • 41 mm57 g
Good detail though with surface marks.
(see more)
See the examples

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2026 May 11 The Abby Welsh Collection of British Coins Showcase Auction 61617
Lot 22184
Internet Archive
11 May 2026 1797 UNC
(NGC MS63 Brown)
USD 884.50
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2026 May 4 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61619
Lot 25206
Internet Archive
4 May 2026 1797 UNC
(NGC MS63 Brown)
USD 732.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2026 May 4 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61619
Lot 25205
Internet Archive
4 May 2026 1797 UNC
(NGC MS64 Brown)
USD 1586.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2026 May 4 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61619
Lot 25204
Internet Archive
4 May 2026 1797 UNC
(PCGS MS64 Brown)
USD 1342.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2026 January 26 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61586
Lot 23116
Internet Archive
26 Jan 2026 1797 UNC
(NGC MS63 Brown)
USD 884.50
(incl. buyer's premium)
Heritage Auctions
2025 June 8 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61515
Lot 23075
Internet Archive
8 Jun 2025 1797 UNC
(NGC MS63 Brown)
USD 1542.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2025 March 16 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61483
Lot 21127
Internet Archive
16 Mar 2025 1797 UNC
(NGC MS62 Brown)
USD 552.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2025 March 10 The Cinderellie Collection of British Coins Showcase Auction 61479
Lot 21088
Internet Archive
10 Mar 2025 1797 UNC
(PCGS MS64 Brown)
USD 1320.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2024 September 15 Spotlight: Coins of the British Empire World Coins Showcase Auction 61404
Lot 23091
Internet Archive
15 Sep 2024 1797 UNC
(NGC MS63 Brown)
USD 630.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')Picture 1 of a sold 2 Pence - George III (2nd issue; 'Cartwheel')
Heritage Auctions
2024 September 8 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61403
Lot 25151
Internet Archive
8 Sep 2024 1797 UNC
(NGC MS65 Brown)
USD 1260.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
See all 130 past sales

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