Britain, King George III, Cartwheel Penny - 1797 - British Empire

Includes glass top display box.

• Origin: Britain
• Denomination: "Cartwheel" Penny
• Ruler: King George III
• Mint: Soho, Handsworth, England
• Obverse Design: GEORGIUS III·D:G·REX. / Laureate and draped bust of King George III right, legend around on raised rim.
  
• Reverse Design: BRITANNIA / Seated figure of Britannia left, with trident and shield 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.
  

These copper "cartwheel" pennies were one of the largest English copper coins to ever circulate, alongside the even larger cartwheel two pence. They were produced under King George III, who was king of Great Britain during the American Revolution.

The coins earned their "cartwheel" nickname from both their large size and thick outer rim, which were thought to resemble a wooden cart wheel. They were issued to address Britain's coin shortage, which came as a result of silver pennies no longer being produced. The government authorized Matthew Boulton, a businessman and manufacturer, to begin striking copper pennies and twopence in Soho, Birmingham.

The obverse shows King George III and the reverse shows a seated Britannia, the symbolic personification of Britain. While all the coins were struck with the date 1797, they were actually produced for a few years after that date as well.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in this photo, along with a glass top leatherette display box.