Two Pound Piece: George III (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse)

Description

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.

Provenance

Mrs. Emery May Holden Norweb (1895-1984), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1969); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1969-)

Two Pound Piece: George III (obverse); St. George and the Dragon (reverse)

Benedetto Pistrucci

1820

Accession Number

1969.213

Medium

gold

Dimensions

Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)

Classification

Coins

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The Norweb Collection