Great Britain: Gigantic Wheel, Earls Court
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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Spink & Son, London |
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Date:
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1895-1906 |
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Ref:
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AM2: 44; Laidlaw: 1314;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 32.1 mm | Bronze | 11.7 gm | $12 |
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Edge:
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Upright reeded.
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Obverse:
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View of the Gigantic Wheel. Legend: GIGANTIC WHEEL (left) EARLS COURT (right)" In the exergue: "1897".
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Reverse:
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Across: "THE / GIGANTIC WHEEL / AT EARLS COURT IS / 284 FEET IN DIAMETER/ & WEIGHS ABOUT 900 TONS. / THERE ARE 40 CARS, EACH / TO CARRY 30 PERSONS. / FROM THE TOP OF THE / WHEEL ABOUT 300 FEET / WINDSOR CASTLE IS / VISIBLE TO THE / WEST"
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Notes:
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The Gigantic Wheel at Earls Court, London, was modeled on the wheel design by George Washington Gale Ferris which was built for the Chicago Columbian Exhibition in 1893.
Construction of the wheel was carried out under the charge of Mr. Walter Basset and opened to the public on 6th July 1895 for the Empire of India Exhibition. The wheel last turned on the closing day of the Austrian Exhibition in October 1906. The wheel was demolished in 1907
Medals were issued for each year the wheel was in existence.
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