Summary

5 Pence, Issued by Isle of Man, 1979
Laxey, or Lady Isabella waterwheel
Minted by Pobjoy Mint

Obverse Description

Diademed and draped bust of the Queen facing right; around, ELIZABETH THE SECOND . 1979 .

Reverse Description

At centre, Laxey Wheel superimposed over island; around above, ISLE OF MAN around below, . FIVE PENCE .

Edge Description

Milled

Significance

The Laxey Wheel featured on the reverse of this coin is a large waterwheel in the village of Laxey, Isle of Man. It was designed by Robert Casement, and was built in 1854 to pump water from mineshafts. The waterwheel was named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope who was the island's governor at that time. It has a diameter of 22.1 m diameter and revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute.

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