George III 'Cartwheel' Penny

Brief Description

A large, heavy copper coin featuring the laureate bust of King George III facing right on the obverse. The legend 'GEORGIUS III . D : G . REX' is stamped into a wide, raised rim.

Historical Significance

These were the first pennies to be struck by steam power at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint. Known as 'Cartwheels' due to their immense size and thick rims, they were designed to contain their exact face value in copper to combat counterfeiting during the Industrial Revolution.

Estimated Value

$10 - $30 USD (Condition appears heavily worn/corroded)

Care Instructions

Do not clean or polish the coin, as this removes the natural patina and significantly reduces numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free flip or a dry, acid-free container to prevent further corrosion.

Created At: 2026-03-23T00:43:25.546933