Features

IssuerUnited Kingdom  and Australia 
KingGeorge III (1760-1820)
TypeStandard circulation coinsYear1797
Value1 Penny (1⁄240)
CurrencyPound sterling (1158-1970)
CompositionCopper
Weight28.35 g
Diameter36 mm
Thickness3 mm
ShapeRoundTechniqueMilledOrientationCoin alignment ↑↓Demonetized31 August 1971Number

N#

947

ReferencesKM# 618, Sp# 3777



Obverse

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

Script: Latin

Lettering:
GEORGIUS III·D:G·REX.
K

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 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.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
BRITANNIA
SOHO
1797

Engraver: Conrad Heinrich Küchler

Edge

Plain

Mint

SOHOSoho Mint, Handsworth, England (1788-1850)

Comments

The first base metal regal pennies 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 (one ounce 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.