Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.214)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1823
During the reign of King George IV, two-pound pieces were struck for circulation in 1823 only. Pattern pieces appeared in 1824, 1825, and 1826. The king was so disgusted with the caricature of a portrait that Pistrucci placed on the first coins of the reign that the artist was ordered to model a new obverse from a bust by the sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey (1781–1841). Pistrucci refused; it was beneath his dignity to copy the work of another artist. The work was therefore carried out by J. B. Merlen, assistant engraver at the Royal Mint. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.214: Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse), 1823. After Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855), after a design by Francis Legatt Chantrey (British, 1781–1841), Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850). Gold; diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.). Inscribed: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: GEORGIUS IIII D: G: (George III by the Grace of God, King of the British territories, Defender of the Faith); 1895. 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
This is the only modern British coin on which the initials of the Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, appear, on the reverse below the broken lance.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: GEORGIUS IIII D: G: (George III by the Grace of God, King of the British territories, Defender of the Faith); 1895
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1823
- Culture period
- England, George IV, 1820-1830
- Maker recorded
- Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855), Francis Legatt Chantrey (British, 1781–1841), Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850)
- Museum attribution
- Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855); Francis Legatt Chantrey (British, 1781–1841); Jean Baptiste Merlen (French, 1769–1850)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.214
- 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. 71
- 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.