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). 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
© 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.
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 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| 1797 | 
|
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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Numista Rarity index: 11
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.
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