Two Pound Piece: George III (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.213)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1820
The five- and two-pound pieces struck for George III were only struck as patterns in this, the last year of the his reign. No pieces of either denomination were put into circulation.
This very rare piece shows Pistrucci's Saint George as modified by Wyon. In the original the lance is broken; here the lance a been converted by Wyon into a sword, and it has appeared thus in future coinage. Later, in currency issues, the streamer disappears for a time for the helmet. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.213: Two Pound Piece: George III (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse), 1820. Design by after Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855).
Gold; diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.). Inscribed: GEORGIUS III . D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D: 1820. (George III by the Grace of God, King of the British territories, Defender of the Faith). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Benedetto Pistrucci was an Italian gem and coin engraver, medallist, and carver of cameos.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscription
- GEORGIUS III . D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D: 1820. (George III by the Grace of God, King of the British territories, Defender of the Faith)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1820
- Culture period
- England, George III, 1760-1820
- Maker recorded
- Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855)
- Museum attribution
- Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.213
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. [Catalog. 1968. p. 70
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.