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.
In 1905 King Edward VII was on the throne, finally having taken over from his late mother, Queen Victoria. Arthur Balfour is Prime Minister and Chelsea has just been elected to the Football League. The GPO had just gotten rid of horse-drawn carriages to deliver the mail from London to Brighton and replaced them with Motor Lorries. The 1st public protest by a suffragette took place and Alf Common became the first £1000 football transfer. The Farthing was the smallest denomination regularly issued. You had the King’s bare head on one side and a seated Britannia on the other side. We can offer you the King Edward VII Farthing in Fine condition for your collection.
King George II ruled from 1727 until 1760. During that time they issued two different busts of the King. They are known as the Young Head and the Old Head, but don’t tell the King that. The smallest denomination issued for this Monarch was the Farthing, 4 farthings to the penny and 240 pennies to the Pound. These Old Head coins are almost 300 years old and are in Fine condition, being the smallest denomination they saw considerable circulation and usage. Dates will be of our choice, but the more you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
King George II ruled from 1727 until 1760. During that time they issued two different busts of the King. They are known as the Young Head bust and the Old Head bust, offered here, but don’t tell the King that. The smallest denomination issued for this Monarch was the Farthing, 4 farthings to the penny and 240 pennies to the Pound. These coins are almost 300 years old and are in Very Good condition, being the smallest denomination they saw considerable circulation and usage. Dates will be of our choice, but the more you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
King George II ruled from1727-1760, his young head bust was used on the copper farthings from 1730-1739. His bust is facing left on the obverse and Britannia is seated on the reverse. It is the smallest coin struck at the time, i.e. the lowest value and thus well circulated and used. We can offer this as a type coin, dates of our choice, in two different grades. Fair which is very worn but then again they are almost 300 years old and Fine with much more details show and to be honest a much nicer coin.
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