George III Copper "Cartwheel" Two Pence Coin Vesta Case

A rare Victorian silver mounted Vesta Case formed from a large George III copper ""Cartwheel"" twopence coin, with attached suspension ring and hinged lid. Silver gilt interior.

Retailed by Andrew Barrett & Sons, London, c1900.

At the Soho Mint, James Watt and Matthew Boulton used their steam-powered coin presses to make twopence coins in addition to ""cartwheel"" pennies. These 2d coins weigh exactly 2 ounces (56.699 g), making them the heaviest British coins for ordinary circulation, and are approximately 41 millimetres (1.6 in) diameter by 5 millimetres (0.20 in) thick. 722,160 were minted, all bearing the 1797 date. The obverse reads GEORGIUS III • D:G • REX. and the reverse BRITANNIA. 1797

Sold - £250.00