Farthing

Farthings first came into production during the reign of Charles II in 1672 due to a considerable shortage of coins of low denomination. It is always a sign that coins of a certain denomination are needed when tradesmen issue private tokens bearing that denomination, and the well-known tokens of 1660 are a clear indication of the need for the coin.

An extensive series of pattern farthings was struck from the beginning of the reign, but it was not until 1672 that farthings were struck for circulation. The Royal Proclamation of 1672 authorised the striking of farthings and half pennies with legal tender status up to a total of sixpence, but the issue of half pennies was delayed. The Farthing thus became the first of the long series of base metal ‘Britannia’ coinage which was to last almost exactly 300 years.

Like the half penny,the design of the Farthing would also change during George VI’s reign. The design adopted for the reverse was that of a wren, which had been proposed for the reverse of the Edward VIII Farthing. The coin was struck for every year of the reign but, unlike the half penny, it did not undergo minute differences of design from year to year. 

View as
Sort by
Display per page
Filter by attributes
  • Currently shopping by:
  • Monarch: Edward I 1272 - 1307 or George III 1760 - 1820 or Victoria 1837 - 1901 or George V 1910 - 1936 or George VI 1936 - 1952
Edward I_Farthing_Fine_obv

Edward I, Farthing Fine

The farthing marked the start of a revolutionary coinage reform by Edward I. Until this time, the penny was the smallest denomination. Low value transactions could be conducted using pennies cut into halves or quarters. The act of cutting pennies into quarters or fourths was how the word Farthing or “fourthing” came about. These silver farthings were introduced by Edward I during the recoinage of 1279. They brought about the end of the practice of cutting coins into halves and quarters. The old coinage and the use of pennies cut into farthings remained legal tender until they were demonitised in August 1280. These coins were the smallest silver coins of the early medieval period and were well circulated and are now over 700 years old, and they are much scarcer than the Pennies. We have been putting these aside for many years and are delighted to offer them to you now, for the first time. Available in Fine, while stocks last.
£99.50
George III, 1760-1820. 1799 Bronzed Proof Farthing_obv

George III, Farthing 1799 Bronzed Proof

Plain edge and beautiful dark tone, a lovely coin.
£495.00
Mini_Bags_George_V_farthings_10

George V, 10 Farthings Fine or Better

We recently bought three bags of King George V Farthings. They are all struck between 1911 and 1936, but we have not sorted them by date, they will be just as they come out of the sacks. Having glanced through a bag of these George V farthings the coins are in Fine or better condition. Richard didn’t look at the coins for dates, so we will sell them as they come. We will ask one of the staff who has little knowledge of British coins to just count them out. They came from a dealer who has been in coins for over 50 years and is now retiring. Here we are offering them as they come out of a sack, 10 pieces for £15.00.
£8.95
George V_25_Farthings_Fine_or_Better_25

George V, 25 Farthings Fine or Better

We recently bought three bags of King George V Farthings. They are all struck between 1911 and 1936, but we have not sorted them by date, they will be just as they come out of the sacks. Having glanced through a bag of these George V farthings the coins are in Fine or better condition. Richard didn’t look at the coins for dates, so we will sell them as they come. We will ask one of the staff who has little knowledge of British coins to just count them out. They came from a dealer who has been in coins for over 50 years and is now retiring. Here we are offering them as they come out of the sack, 25 pieces for £29.50.
£29.50
George V, Farthing 1918 Uncirculated - Brilliant Unc_obv

George V, Farthing 1918 Unc - Brilliant Unc

These are not common and are in Uncirculated to Brilliant Uncirculated condition. That means that they are Uncirculated with lustre but not fully Brilliant. Here at Coincraft we try to grade coins properly.
£18.00
Picture of George V, Farthing 1920 Unc

George V, Farthing 1920 Unc

This King George V Farthing was struck in 1920, just after the end of World War I. They are made in bonze and have the bare head of the King on one side and a beautiful seated Britannia on the reverse. We came across a little group of these 1920 Farthings in Uncirculated and Uncirculated - Brilliant Unc condition. We bought them immediately, as we know they are not easy to get in such high grades. You know some of the coins that are supposedly ‘common’ really can be most difficult to get. Don’t miss out on this offer…
£20.00
Picture of George V, Farthing 1921 Unc/Brilliant Unc

George V, Farthing 1921 Unc/Brilliant Unc

In 1921 George V was our Monarch and he had celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Coronation (1911-1921). The smallest and most used coin of this year was the bronze Farthing. You have the bare head of King George V facing left on the obverse and the reverse has the seated figure of Britannia. For some reason, the 1921 in high grades is most difficult to get. After all, it is almost 100 years old. Available here in Uncirculated - Brilliant Uncirculated. It has been a long time since we have seen such nice examples of this scarce date of Farthings. Treat yourself; after all, you deserve it…
£15.00
1922 farthing_Obv

George V, Farthing 1922

Brilliant Uncirculated
£24.00
1928_farthing_Obv

George V, Farthing 1928

UBU
£10.00
1930 Farthing BU_obv

George V, Farthing 1930 BU

As most collectors know that 1930 coins issued during the Depression are scarce in any grade and Rare in the highest grades. Phil bought a fantastic group of the 1930 King George V Farthings in Brilliant Uncirculated and Uncirculated – Brilliant Uncirculated condition. Not only is it one of the Key dates but the condition is outstanding. Get them while you can, as when this group is gone who knows where we will find any more. Remember they are the Key Date. The Brilliant Uncirculated coins presented here are just that: Brilliant Uncirculated but of course, over the past 91 years, they will have slightly mellowed.
£20.00
1930 Farthing Unc - BU with small spots_obv

George V, Farthing 1930 Unc - BU with small spots

As most collectors know that 1930 coins issued during the Depression are scarce in any grade and Rare in the highest grades. Phil bought a fantastic group of the 1930 King George V Farthings in Brilliant Uncirculated and Uncirculated – Brilliant Uncirculated condition. Not only is it one of the Key dates but the condition is outstanding. Get them while you can, as when this group is gone who knows where we will find any more. Remember they are the Key Date. The Uncirculated - Brilliant Uncirculated coins presented here are Uncirculated with full original lustre but with a few carbon spots. First time offered…
£12.00
1932_Farthing_Obv

George V, Farthing 1932

Uncirculated
£9.00
1935_Farthing_Obv

George V, Farthing 1935

Uncirculated
£20.00
1936_farthing_Obv

George V, Farthing 1936

Brilliant Uncirculated
£15.00
Picture of George V, Farthing 1936 Uncirculated

George V, Farthing 1936 Uncirculated

1936 was the year that King George V died, his son became Edward VIII and then abdicated so his brother could become King George VI, the father of our own Queen, Elizabeth II. All of the Farthings issued in 1936 carried the portrait of King George V and the Farthing was the lowest denomination made at the time. The Depression was still blowing cold air and a Farthing would still buy you something. Here we present the last George V Farthing in Uncirculated condition.
£14.50
Picture of George VI, Farthing (Festival of Britain) 1951 Unc

George VI, Farthing (Festival of Britain) 1951 Unc

Now some 66 years old and in Uncirculated condition with lustre
£10.00
Farthing 1937-48 BU_obv

George VI, Farthing 1937-48 BU

In 1937, the farthing went through its first major redesign since it’s introduction in 1672 under Charles II. For the first time in 264 years, Britannia was to be replaced on the reverse by one of Britain’s smallest birds – the Wren. This new design, first introduced on the Edward VIII pattern was also adopted on the farthings of George VI. Here we present the 1937-48 issue in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. Dates will be of our choice, one coin only issued between 1937-1948 but in BU condition.
£10.00
1937-48 Farthing_obv

George VI, Farthing 1937-48 Unc

In 1937, the farthing went through its first major redesign since it’s introduction in 1672 under Charles II. For the first time in 264 years, Britannia was to be replaced on the reverse by one of Britain’s smallest birds – the Wren. This new design, first introduced on the Edward VIII pattern was also adopted on the farthings of George VI. Here we present the 1937-48 in Uncirculated condition. Dates will be of our choice.
£7.00
1939_Farthing_obv

George VI, Farthing 1939 Unc

King George VI, the Queen’s Father, had a short but turbulent reign. After all we had World War II, silver was taken out of our coinage and the British Empire was starting to break up. We have uploaded onto the website all the King George VI Farthings that we have in stock in Uncirculated condition. In all honesty, some are Brilliant Uncirculated, which is better than Uncirculated, but we are going to sell them all at one price. When your order arrives, we will give you the best grade that we have in stock. On offer here is the 1939 Farthing. This is a great series of coins and the smallest coin issued by King George VI, they were struck in bronze and in Uncirculated.
£10.00
1941_Farthing_obv

George VI, Farthing 1941 Unc

King George VI, the Queen’s Father, had a short but turbulent reign. After all we had World War II, silver was taken out of our coinage and the British Empire was starting to break up. We have uploaded onto the website all the King George VI Farthings that we have in stock in Uncirculated condition. In all honesty, some are Brilliant Uncirculated, which is better than Uncirculated, but we are going to sell them all at one price. When your order arrives, we will give you the best grade that we have in stock. On offer here is the 1941 Farthing. This is a great series of coins and the smallest coin issued by King George VI, they were struck in bronze and in Uncirculated.
£10.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1942 Brilliant Unc

George VI, Farthing 1942 Brilliant Unc

First issue (1937-48) Farthing of George VI dated 1942 with title IND:IMP.
£15.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1942 Unc

George VI, Farthing 1942 Unc

We have just bought a hoard of 1942 World War II Farthings in Uncirculated condition. They were issued under King George VI and all have part original lustre. They were put away at the time, but have mellowed over the past 76 years. No wear just a gentle mellowing of the lustre. 1942 was at the height of the Second World War and the Farthing with the wren on it, was the smallest denomination issued at the time. They are struck, in bronze rather than copper and have the bare head of the King on the obverse. Normally we would charge considerably more for this coin, but if we make a good buy, then our customers make a good buy. It is only fair that way. So for this issue only, or until sold out, you can own a 1942 King George VI Farthing in Uncirculated condition and at this price; we think they are very attractive to the collector.
£10.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1943 Unc

George VI, Farthing 1943 Unc

First issue (1937-48) Farthing of George VI dated 1943 with title IND:IMP.
£10.00
1944_Farthing_Obv

George VI, Farthing 1944 Unc

King George VI, the Queen’s Father, had a short but turbulent reign. After all we had World War II, silver was taken out of our coinage and the British Empire was starting to break up. We have uploaded onto the website all the King George VI Farthings that we have in stock in Uncirculated condition. In all honesty, some are Brilliant Uncirculated, which is better than Uncirculated, but we are going to sell them all at one price. When your order arrives, we will give you the best grade that we have in stock. On offer here is the 1944 Farthing. This is a great series of coins and the smallest coin issued by King George VI, they were struck in bronze and in Uncirculated.
£10.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1945 BU

George VI, Farthing 1945 BU

High grade George VI 1945 Farthing - BU
£14.95

When did the Farthing go out of circulation?

By the time the coin bore the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, inflation had eroded its value, and in 1956 the Royal Mint issued the last Farthing. But it wasn’t until the end of 1960 that it was withdrawn completely from circulation.

Get the Farthings coins missing in your collection

If you collect the denomination and you cannot find the coins missing in your collection on our website, you might want to subscribe to our newsletter. We update our website regularly and by subscribing you will be amongst the first to know when new stock comes out.