A very rare George III 'Barrel Coin' Mug made in London in 1783 by John Robins.

The Mug is realistically modelled in the form of a barrel with baluster sides and raised horizontal reeded bands to simulate the metal bands on the barrel. The reeded handle is attached to the main body with very unusual raying foliate mouldings. Most unusually, however, the base is inset with a Spanish silver coin dated 1773 and depicting King Charles III on the front. The Mug is in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the side of the main body. The front also displays a set of contemporary script initials. Barrel Mugs do not appear on the market often and to find one inset with a coin of the period is particularly unusual. It was the fashion to inset coins into ladles at this date, however, to find one in a Mug is very rare.



Height: 3.75 inches, 9.38cm.

Base Diameter: 2.45 inches, 6.13cm.

Weight: 8oz.