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. 

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  • Pre-Decimal Denomination: Farthing
  • Monarch: Victoria 1837 - 1901 or Edward VII 1901 - 1910 or George VI 1936 - 1952 or Elizabeth II 1952 - 2022
1902 Farthing Fine_obv

Edward VII, Farthing 1902 Fine

1902 Bronze Farthing in Fine
£7.95
Edward VII_Farthing_1905_Obv

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 1907 Farthing Fine_obv

Edward VII, Farthing 1907 Fine

1907 Bronze Farthing in Fine
£5.95
Picture of Elizabeth II, Farthing 1953 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1953 Brilliant Unc

In 1953 the Royal Mint issued new coins for the new Queen, Elizabeth II. But the legend was different from all the coins that were to come, so that the 1953 coins and the Farthing in particular are one year type coins. This is important because there were only 4 dates of Elizabeth II Farthings ever issued, 1956 being the last date of issue. Because the 1953 Coronation Farthing is a one year type, it is also the most difficult one to get in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. We bought a group that had been put away in 1953, some 65 years ago and had lain undisturbed until now. Add a one year type, 1953 Coronation Farthing in Brilliant Uncirculated to your collection, they are not easy to get.
£8.95
1953 Farthing_obv

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1953 Uncirculated

In 1953 the Royal Mint issued new coins for the new Queen, Elizabeth II. But the legend was different from all the coins that were to come, so that the 1953 coins and the Farthing, in particular, are one-year type coins. This is important because there were only 4 dates of Elizabeth II Farthings ever issued, 1956 being the last date of issue. Because the 1953 Coronation Farthing is a one year type, it is difficult one to get in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. We bought a group that had been put away in 1953, some 68 years ago, and had lain undisturbed until now. Add a one-year type, 1953 Coronation Farthing in Brilliant Uncirculated to your collection, they are not easy to get.
£4.95
Picture of Elizabeth II, Farthing 1954 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1954 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II, Farthing dated 1954 in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.
£7.95
Picture of Elizabeth II, Farthing 1955 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1955 Brilliant Unc

The 1955 Wren Farthing was the penultimate, or the next to last Farthing to ever be struck. In 1956 the last ever Farthing was struck. For some reason, this penultimate Farthing is rather difficult to find in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. You have the youthful bust of Queen Elizabeth II on one side, remember that she only came to the throne in 1952, and on the other side you have a beautiful little wren. The coins on offer are in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and are now some 63 years old. For those of you too young to remember, there were 240 Pennies to the Pound and 4 Farthings to the Penny. So that a pound’s worth of Farthings would have been 960 coins. Don’t we wish we had the money and had put them away at the time?
£7.95
Picture of Elizabeth II, Farthing 1956 Brilliant Uncirculated

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1956 Brilliant Uncirculated

In 1956 the Royal Mint issued the last Farthing ever! We're guessing that it was too low of a denomination to be of any use. We have a nice small group of Brilliant Uncirculated 1956 Queen Elizabeth II Farthings. These are the last Farthing to ever be struck. The Mint didn’t make a lot of them and they are the most difficult date of Queen Elizabeth II to find. Get them while you can, remember there were 4 to a Penny and 960 to the pound. These are now 63 years old and in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.
£14.50
1956_Farthing_obv

Elizabeth II, Farthing 1956 Uncirculated

The first Farthing was issued during the reign of King Edward I 1272-1307 and it was struck in Silver. The last ever Farthing was struck in 1956 under Queen Elizabeth II and was struck in bronze. In fact, there were only four farthings issued under Queen Elizabeth II. The 1956 Farthing is the most difficult of the four dates to get. It has the Queen on the obverse and the wren on the reverse. Demand of late has increased and so has the cost of buying them. Lucky that we had some in stock so we can keep our prices more reasonable. We have them in two grades Uncirculated with touches of lustre and Brilliant Uncirculated in either case they are the last Farthing ever to be issued and an important coin worthy of your collection.
£10.95
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
1945_Farthing_Obv

George VI, Farthing 1945 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 1945 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 1946 Unc

George VI, Farthing 1946 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 1946 Farthing. This is a great series of coins and the smallest coin issued by King George VI, they were struck in bronze and are all in Uncirculated condition or above.
£10.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1947 Unc

George VI, Farthing 1947 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 1947 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
Farthing 1949-52_obv

George VI, Farthing 1949-52 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 1949-52 in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. Dates will be of our choice.
£10.00
1949-52 Farthing_Obv

George VI, Farthing 1949-52 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 1949-52 in Uncirculated condition.
£7.00
Picture of George VI, Farthing 1952 Unc

George VI, Farthing 1952 Unc

A nice group of King George VI Wren Farthings in Uncirculated condition. They have touches of lustre, but have seen no wear, they mellowed over the years as most copper and bronze coins will. These are Uncirculated not Brilliant Uncirculated, and as such, they are priced at a lot less money. Here we present the 1952. Nice coins, worth having but supplies are limited. So if you want or need a date or two, best to get in quickly…
£10.00

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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