Huge copper coin - Solved! King George IV Penny!!!

[Narthoniel]

Hello,

I dug a coin today and I am hoping to gain some idea of what it might be before I start cleaning. I am sure that whatever it is peroxide will be alright, but, I want to be sure I am not potentially damaging a valuable coin.

The coin is copper, the rim appears worn, and it measures 33 mm in diameter. This site has given up coins from 1781 to 1853 so far and is located in southeast Virginia. When I dug this, I was shocked by how large it is. I would take a photo, but it is so caked with dirt it would not help. Literally 1-3 mm of dirt crust across both sides.

If you have any suggestions or ideas as to what this coin could be, please post. As I said, I more or less want to know I am not messing with a valuable coin. I realize it is not likely, but hey, better safe than sorry.

Thank you,
Anthony

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Iron Patch]

Yes! and I'm about to give myself a slap. Last right I did think king George IV because I know he faces left, but at the time I still had damn Irish in my brain and when i checked Geo. IV I only checked Irish but the penny's wording had the Georgius too low. I just had one of those Brit. Geo. IV coins in my hands in the last week...DUH!

Hey, you did a lot to help me solve this one, and I appreciate it. I didnt give a lot to go on, so don't take it too hard. I am just glad to have figured this out. I remember when I pulled this out thinking, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?" I never expected to dig a british copper minted after 1800, but the dirt holds surprises aplenty! Thank you again for your help, I do appreciate it!
Anthony

As soon as I realized it was bigger, George IV was the first thing that came to mind because the earlier georgies didn't have big pennies like that. Heck I even know off the top of my head there's a key date for the years, 1827. Sometimes that is what it takes though, a little clue here and there and as long as it's solved in the end we can all be happy and give Relicdude a very hard punch.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Silver Searcher]

Hi...sorry to come in on this topic so late but your coin can't be a George1V penny because it is to large. a George1V penny only has a diameter of 28mm not 33 the only British copper of that size would be the Cartwheel penny or two pence which were only issued in 1797 but your pictures show a left facing bust not a right.

 

[Iron Patch]

Hi...sorry to come in on this topic so late but your coin can't be a George1V penny because it is to large. a George1V penny only has a diameter of 28mm not 33 the only British copper of that size would be the Cartwheel penny or two pence which were only issued in 1797 but your pictures show a left facing bust not a right.

We are talking about a George IV penny, not pre 1800s or a halfpenny, better check your book.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Hi...sorry to come in on this topic so late but your coin can't be a George1V penny because it is to large. a George1V penny only has a diameter of 28mm not 33 the only British copper of that size would be the Cartwheel penny or two pence which were only issued in 1797 but your pictures show a left facing bust not a right.

We are talking about a George IV penny, not pre 1800s or a halfpenny, better check your book.

I Have...why don't you reed the reply properly, like I said the diameter of a George 1V penny is 28mm, the coin you are talking about is 33mm, I have a very good example of a George1V penny(1826) it's 28mm.

 

[Don in SJ]

The obverse of George IV's penny shows a rather fine left-facing laureated head engraved by William Wyon after the king expressed a dislike for the one engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci which was used on the farthing, inscribed GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA date, while the reverse shows a right-facing seated Britannia with a shield and trident, inscribed BRITANNIAR REX FID DEF. The penny at this time weighed 18.8 grams and had a diameter of 34 millimetres

Just google "George IV Penny diameter"

 

[Narthoniel]

Hi...sorry to come in on this topic so late but your coin can't be a George1V penny because it is to large. a George1V penny only has a diameter of 28mm not 33 the only British copper of that size would be the Cartwheel penny or two pence which were only issued in 1797 but your pictures show a left facing bust not a right.

We are talking about a George IV penny, not pre 1800s or a halfpenny, better check your book.

I Have...why don't you reed the reply properly, like I said the diameter of a George 1V penny is 28mm, the coin you are talking about is 33mm, I have a very good example of a George1V penny(1826) it's 28mm.

Here is the information I based my conclusions on. It appears to me your 28mm example is a halfpenny.
Anthony

http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/penny.html#copper

George IV
A further gap in dates then follows, until 1825, when a new design was produced for George IV. The 1827 issue is rare, being produced for use in Australia. An illustration of the obverse of an 1826 penny is also available.

There are three reverse types for the George IV issues, differing in the representation of the St Patrick's cross on the shield:

No central line in saltire (1825, 1826 and 1827)
Thin central line in saltire (1826)
Thick central line in saltire (1826)
These issues, along with those issued up until 1860, weigh about 18.8g and have a diameter of 34mm.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Hi...sorry to come in on this topic so late but your coin can't be a George1V penny because it is to large. a George1V penny only has a diameter of 28mm not 33 the only British copper of that size would be the Cartwheel penny or two pence which were only issued in 1797 but your pictures show a left facing bust not a right.

We are talking about a George IV penny, not pre 1800s or a halfpenny, better check your book.

I Have...why don't you reed the reply properly, like I said the diameter of a George 1V penny is 28mm, the coin you are talking about is 33mm, I have a very good example of a George1V penny(1826) it's 28mm.

Here is the information I based my conclusions on. It appears to me your 28mm example is a halfpenny.
Anthony

http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/penny.html#copper

George IV
A further gap in dates then follows, until 1825, when a new design was produced for George IV. The 1827 issue is rare, being produced for use in Australia. An illustration of the obverse of an 1826 penny is also available.

There are three reverse types for the George IV issues, differing in the representation of the St Patrick's cross on the shield:

No central line in saltire (1825, 1826 and 1827)
Thin central line in saltire (1826)
Thick central line in saltire (1826)
These issues, along with those issued up until 1860, weigh about 18.8g and have a diameter of 34mm.

I stand corrected :P I make 33mm in my book , just slightly smaller than the cartwheel penny

 

[Narthoniel]

No biggie, we all make mistakes. I thought you might have known something I did not. Shame those silly old brits didn't stamp the denominations on their coins. Makes for some messy figuring later on, especially for this American. I never could understand pence, shilling, farthing, etc etc.
Anthony

 

[Silver Searcher]

No biggie, we all make mistakes. I thought you might have known something I did not. Shame those silly old brits didn't stamp the denominations on their coins. Makes for some messy figuring later on, especially for this American. I never could understand pence, shilling, farthing, etc etc.
Anthony

Hi Anthony....your coin would be quite a rare find here, I have never seen one (penny) and I have found hundreds of Georgion coppers, good find ind

 

[Narthoniel]

No biggie, we all make mistakes. I thought you might have known something I did not. Shame those silly old brits didn't stamp the denominations on their coins. Makes for some messy figuring later on, especially for this American. I never could understand pence, shilling, farthing, etc etc.
Anthony

Hi Anthony....your coin would be quite a rare find here, I have never seen one (penny) and I have found hundreds of Georgion coppers, good find ind

Wow, no kidding. I figured it to be much more common, although how you could lose something so large I don't know. Seems like if you dropped a bowling ball on your toe you would notice it. According to the price information I was able to find, 1825 and 1826 is worth about $10 in a pretty low grade, so I doubt there is much value to such a weatherworn and beat up coin. Historical signicance means much more, as well as finding something so old that travelled so far. This coin sailed the ocean blue by the power of the wind for many months, only to be lost here. And even then, it was in the woods 2 inches deep near an old cellar hole, and I dug it with my fingers since the soil is so soft. Man, if only these relics could talk!!
Anthony

 

[Iron Patch]

No biggie, we all make mistakes. I thought you might have known something I did not. Shame those silly old brits didn't stamp the denominations on their coins. Makes for some messy figuring later on, especially for this American. I never could understand pence, shilling, farthing, etc etc.
Anthony

Hi Anthony....your coin would be quite a rare find here, I have never seen one (penny) and I have found hundreds of Georgion coppers, good find ind

Wow, no kidding. I figured it to be much more common, although how you could lose something so large I don't know. Seems like if you dropped a bowling ball on your toe you would notice it. According to the price information I was able to find, 1825 and 1826 is worth about $10 in a pretty low grade, so I doubt there is much value to such a weatherworn and beat up coin. Historical signicance means much more, as well as finding something so old that travelled so far. This coin sailed the ocean blue by the power of the wind for many months, only to be lost here. And even then, it was in the woods 2 inches deep near an old cellar hole, and I dug it with my fingers since the soil is so soft. Man, if only these relics could talk!!
Anthony

If you think that is big it's nothing compared to the 1797 two penny. (Twopence)

I have hunted a lot of early 1800s sites with British coins and I don't recall finding one of those Geo IV.. So even if the book value isn't high it's not something that pops up every day.

 

[Silver Searcher]

That's true IP.....the cartwheel penny & twopence quite a bit bigger and thicker, you would know if you had a pocket full although the cartwheel is a lot more common to find.

 

[Iron Patch]

That's true IP.....the cartwheel penny & twopence quite a bit bigger and thicker, you would know if you had a pocket full although the cartwheel is a lot more common to find.

One one penny is, but not the two. I have only seen one 2 found here and we have dug quite a few of the ones.

 

[Silver Searcher]

That's true IP.....the cartwheel penny & twopence quite a bit bigger and thicker, you would know if you had a pocket full although the cartwheel is a lot more common to find.

One one penny is, but not the two. I have only seen one 2 found here and we have dug quite a few of the ones.

Same here IP.......had quite a few penny's but not seen a two pence

 

[Narthoniel]

Seems to me the twopence could double as a teacup or bread plate.

 

[Iron Patch]

Seems to me the twopence could double as a teacup or bread plate.

You forgot weapon. Yes a very large and heavy coin.

 

[romeo-1]

Seems to me the twopence could double as a teacup or bread plate.

You forgot weapon. Yes a very large and heavy coin.

Mine is acting as a paperweight at work!

 

[Iron Patch]

Seems to me the twopence could double as a teacup or bread plate.

You forgot weapon. Yes a very large and heavy coin.

Mine is acting as a paperweight at work!

Cool. I just don't want to see one being used as a pouch weight again.