File:Cartwheel penny tokens for wall labourers (FindID 418695).jpg

English: Three early modern tokens dating from the early 19th century. They are three cartwheel pennies found in a wall at Borrowdale. They weigh 16.65g; 24.87g and 25.61g respectively and measure 35x2mm. They have been polished and counter-marked with sun-shaped stamps and were possibly turned into tokens for wall labourers, paid in the 1820s/30s (many thanks to the finder who researched the tokens and shared his research with me!).

The British Cartwheel Penny and Twopence was made in 1797 and 1798 because King George III thought it was good for the people to possess a coin that was equal in value to the actual value of copper at that time. Since one (1) avoirdupois ounce of copper was worth One Penny, one and two ounce coins were minted for two years - both bearing the year 1797. The front of the coins bears the image of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_III_of_the_United_Kingdom">King George III</a>. The reverse bears the image of Britannia seated and looking right. Both the penny (1 avoirdupois ounce , 36mm - diameter, 3mm - thickness) and two pence (2 avoirdupois ounces, 41mm - diameter, 5mm - thickness) are large in diameter and in thickness as well. The composition was entirely made of copper with no added metals to strengthen it. (Note: This was one good reason why these coins damaged so easily.) Remember, the King wanted his loyal subjects to possess a coin that had the exact value attributed to it that the weight of pure copper had at that period of time. No "scrimping"!

The coins turned out to be extremely unpopular with the general populace because of their monstrous weight and size. The other reason is that this coin suffered considerable damage because of its size. It was too cumbersome to carry around a lot of large and heavy loose change in the purse or pouch for average everyday purchases. So the term "Cartwheel" was given to these coins because people complained they were as big as cartwheels.