- Konge George III
- Katalogreferanse KM 619
- Vekt i gram 56.92
- Lot # 416 *
- System ID # 643965
- End Date
- Start Date
A small spot in the field is the reason for the environmental damage notation on this large uncirculated copper coin, other than that this is a VERY sharp specimen of this heavy coin, usually seen in VF and below. This is the largest coin minted in the UK meant for circulation, and was minted in the new mint factory in SOHO, right after the new invetion of steam powered coin presses. "The largest regal coin 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 (two ounces 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. This type was struck in copper by Boulton for several years after 1797 with no change in date, along with some later strikes in a variety of metals. Further restrikes were produced by W.J. Taylor when he bought the dies in 1848; the chief way these later issues can be distinguished is by marks resulting from die corrosion. The sheer weight of these coins means that they are very susceptable to edge knocks. They were found to be too heavy for regular use and no more copper or bronze twopence coins were struck until decimalisation in 1971." - Numista.com