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 pennythe 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.  

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  • Pre-Decimal Denomination: Farthing
  • Monarch: Edward I 1272 - 1307 or Victoria 1837 - 1901 or Edward VII 1901 - 1910

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

Edward VII, Farthing 1902 Fine

1902 Bronze Farthing in Fine
£7.95

Edward VII, Farthing 1905 Fine

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.
£5.95

Edward VII, Farthing 1907 Fine

1907 Bronze Farthing in Fine
£5.95

Victoria, Farthing (Old Head) VG-F

In our opinion, the Old Head or Widow Head but of Queen Victoria is the most underappreciated of the three different busts made during her reign. Here we offer the Old Head Farthing in VG-F. Dates will be of our choice.
£5.95

Victoria, Farthing (Young Head 1838-1860) Very Fine

These Victorian Young Head Farthings were struck in copper from 1838-1860 from then they were made thinner and struck in bronze. We love these copper coins because of their thickness and Victoria’s portrait. Don’t forget she only came to the throne in 1837. Dates of our choice, but the more you order the more dates we will try and give you.
£24.50

Victoria, Farthing (Young Head) Copper Fine

A nice parcel of Queen Victoria Copper Farthings has just arrived. These are the thick coins actually struck in Copper and not bronze as the later pieces were. You have the Young Head of Queen Victoria on one side and a seated Britannia on the other side. Today these coins are getting more and more difficult to find. They were made from 1838-1859 for circulation. The group we got in had a number of different dates, unfortunately, none of the rare ones. This product comes in fine grade. We have not received a parcel like this in years and we are certain these coins will sell very quickly. The more coins you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
£17.50

Victoria, Farthing (Young Head) Copper Very Fine

When Queen Victoria came to the throne the smaller coins were struck in Copper, rather than the bronze that they used from 1860. You have the beautiful Young Head of Queen Victoria on one side and the figure of a seated Britannia on the other side. They were issued from 1839-1859 for circulation. The coins on offer are in Very Fine condition, which is quite high grade for these coins. Remember they were in everyday usage and therefore saw a lot of wear. The usual grade they come in is Very Good or maybe Fine, the coins on offer are in Very Fine condition. Dates will be of our choice, but the more you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
£24.50

Victoria, Farthing 1886 Unc

Victoria, Farthing, 1886. In uncirculated condition.
£45.00

Victoria, Farthing 1901 Choice Unc

Queen Victoria’s long reign ended in January 1901. So that the 1901 Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing are the last bronze coins made with her portrait. I have bought a small group of 1901 Farthings, but these Farthings are mint darkened at the Royal Mint before they were released. A great tribute to a great Queen and the condition is so nice. Offered here in Choice Uncirculated.
£40.00

Victoria, Farthing 1901 Unc

Queen Victoria’s long reign ended in January 1901. So that the 1901 Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing are the last bronze coins made with her portrait. I have bought a small group of 1901 Farthings, but these Farthings are mint darkened at the Royal Mint before they were released. A great tribute to a great Queen and the condition is so nice. Offered here in Uncirculated.
£25.00

Victoria, Farthing 1901 Unc

1901 Farthing in Unc from the reign of Queen Victoria. Struck in Mint Darkened condition.
£25.00

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.

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