KING GEORGE 111 GREAT BRITAIN 1797 CARTWHEEL PENNY

These coins get their nickname from their unusual size and weight and were only minted in 1797. During the early years of the reign of George 111 (1760-1820), copper became so expensive that very little of it went to the Mint. The cartwheel penny was the first coin to be issued in copper, measuring 35 mm in diameter, 3, 5 mm thick with a mass of 1 oz. (28,375 g). It should not be confused with the two pence coin. 

Reverse of Cartwheel penny

The two pence was a massive piece 41 mm in diameter, 5mm thick and weighing 2 ounces. The metallic content of these pieces corresponded with their value. James Watt worked with Matthew Boulton to develop the first steam-driven coin press at the private Soho mint in Birmingham.

The cartwheel penny was the first coin minted by this steam-driven press, producing 50 large or 150 small coins a minute.

These big pennies were called cartwheel pennies in an allusion to their exceptional size and the broad, raised rim on which the incused inscription was stamped.

On the obverse appears the inscription GEORGIUS 111 DG REX (George 111, by the grace of God, king). The reverse depicts the figure

Obverse of Cartwheel penny

of Britannia, seated on a rock by the sea, with a man o’ war in the background, holding the trident (symbol of supremacy at sea) of the British navy in her hand; the legend BRITANNIA 1797 is inscribed on it. The name of the mint (Soho) can be seen on the rock just above the second 7 of the date 1797. There is a letter K on the bust of George 111 on the lower left. This stands for Küchler, the designer. 

Reverse of Cartwheel two pence