George III  1760 - 1820

This was the first copper penny to be minted in Britain.  Introduced in1797 and only struck in that year, it weighed one ounce, was known as a cartwheel, and measured the equivalent of 36mm diameter by 3mm thick. A twopence which weighed two ounces was also struck. The price of copper was very high and, in big demand due to the Napoleonic wars, consequently no more copper pennies were struck until 1806

cartwheel penny

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