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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.