1 Penny - George III 1806-1808

Weight

18.9 g

Diameter

34 mm

Thickness

3 mm

Material

Copper

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Groove containing diagonal lines

Technique

Milled

Front design

Laureate and draped portrait of King George III right, legend around, date below.

Back design

Seated figure of Britannia facing left, with trident in left hand, olive branch in raised right hand, shield bearing Union flag resting at left, sea behind with ship to left, mint name on rock to right, legend above, plain exergue below.

Year of Minting

1806-1808

King

George III (1760-1820)

Mint location

SOHO Soho Mint , Handsworth, England (1788-1850)

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

Coin alignment ↑↓

Inscriptions

Obverse: GEORGIUS III·D:G·REX. 1807 Reverse: BRITANNIA SOHO

Context

The standard weight of these pieces was 24 to the pound avoirdupois (2/3 ounce or 291.7 grains each). This design was also produced as proof strikes with various base and precious metal planchets. The Fourth Issue of George III pennies (dated 1806-1808) features numerous patterns and proofs alongside regular copper currency pieces. Proof pennies, halfpennies and farthings were given to visiting dignitaries at Soho. It was a good way to publicise the fine workmanship of Boulton and Watt's fledgling mint and to cement it's place at the heart of the industrial revolution. The dies were heavily used and were thus reworked with the pennies being restruck for some years with no alteration to the date. Copper, bronzed and gilt proofs exist as well as some extremely rare proofs in silver, gold and platinum. For further details of the issue please refer to C.W. Peck's monumental work, 'English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the British Museum 1558 - 1958,' second edition, 1970, page 364.

Rarity

Common

Coin type

Standard circulation

In circulation

No

Demonetized

Yes

Marketplace listings

0