Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1823
Two Pound Piece: George IV (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse) — Coins, by Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855); Francis Legatt Chantrey (British, 1781–1841), made in England, George IV, 1820-1830, dated 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. Physical description: gold; Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- 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
Held by Cleveland Museum of Art (object no. 1969.214). The museum record attributes this piece to Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1784–1855); Francis Legatt Chantrey (British, 1781–1841) in England, George IV, 1820-1830 around 1823. Details beyond the museum's own catalogue entry have not been independently verified.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.)
- Materials techniques
- gold
Identification
- Source note
- All details come from the object's own museum catalogue record; nothing has been copied from other entries.
- Museum object name
- Coins
- Museum object number
- 1969.214
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.