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King George III twopence
King George III twopence

King George III twopence

Maker (British, 1796 - 1895)
Maker
Date1797
Object number00025200
NameCoin
MediumBronzed copper
DimensionsOverall: 41 mm, 0.048 kg
ClassificationsCoins and medals
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with the assistance of the Andrew Thyne Reid Trust
DescriptionA King George III twopence 'cartwheel' coin minted in England in 1797. On one side is a portrait of the king with legend 'Georgius III D: G: Rex' [George III by Grace of God] around the circumference. On te reverse is a personification of Britannia with legend and date 'Britannia 1797' around the circumference. Referred to as Proclamation coins, this coin is an example of the various currencies circulating in the colony of New South Wales in 1800 when Governor King proclaimed a local value set out in a written document. This cartwheel twopence is made of copper and weighed two ounces (56.7 gms) when struck at Matthew Boulton's SOHO Foundry in 1797. It was amongst the first British coins to be manufactured utilising steam powered engines made by James Watt and, despite the inconvenience of its weight, was in general circulation in the colony of New South Wales in the early 19th century. The monetary value of the penny and twopence was based on the value of an ounce and two ounces of copper respectively. The name 'cartwheel' derives from the unusually heavy rim found on these coins. The DUNBAR Collection was retrieved under the auspices of an amnesty enacted through the jurisdiction of the Historic Shipwrecks Act, 1976.HistoryThe 1797 cartwheel copper penny, minted at Matthew Boulton’s steam-powered coining press in Birmingham, was the first coin formally exported to New South Wales for use as currency.SignificanceThis twopence is representative of currency produced in England and used in the colony of New South Wales during the mid-19th century. It is also associated with the tragic loss of the DUNBAR on 20 August 1857, the worst peace-time merchant shipping tragedy in the history of New South Wales.