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Farthing (British coin)
Farthing (British coin)
Farthing (British coin)
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One farthing
United Kingdom
Value⁠1/4⁠d sterling
Mass2.83 g
Diameter20.19 mm
Thickness0.666 mm
EdgePlain
CompositionBronze
Years of minting1860–1956
Obverse
DesignElizabeth II
DesignerMary Gillick
Design date1953
Reverse
DesignWren (Britannia on earlier mintages)
DesignerHarold Wilson Parker
Design date1937

The farthing (from Old English fēorðing, from fēorða, a fourth) was a British coin worth one quarter of a penny, or ⁠1/960⁠ of a pound sterling. Initially minted in copper, and then in bronze, it replaced the earlier English farthing. Between 1860 and 1971, the farthing's purchasing power ranged between 12p and 0.2p in 2017 values.[1]

The farthing's reverse bore an image of Britannia until 1937, when a wren was introduced. As with all British coins, the obverse bore the image of the reigning monarch.[2] The farthing ceased to be legal tender in the United Kingdom on 1 January 1961.[3]

History

[edit]
Main article: History of the British farthing

A British copper farthing succeeded the English farthing after England and Scotland were united into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, although not immediately. Under Queen Anne, a small number of pattern farthings were struck, but none for circulation, as so many English farthings from previous reigns were still available. Some British copper farthings were struck in the reigns of George I and George II. By the accession of George III, in 1760, many counterfeits were in circulation, and the Royal Mint stopped minting copper coins in 1775. The next farthings were the first struck by steam power, in 1799 by Matthew Boulton at his Soho Mint, under licence. Boulton coined more in 1806, and the Royal Mint resumed production in 1821. The farthing was struck regularly under George IV and William IV, by then with a design very like a smaller version of the penny.

Britannia reverse, 1746

Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. three shillings and six pence (3/6d.), pronounced "three and six" or "three and sixpence". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in pence, e.g. (8d.), pronounced "eightpence". A price with a farthing in it would be written like this: (21⁄4d.), pronounced "twopence [or tuppence] farthing", or (1/31⁄4d.), pronounced "one and threepence [or thruppence] farthing" or (19/113⁄4), pronounced "nineteen and eleven three farthing(s)". 19/113⁄4 was a value used to make goods seem "significantly" cheaper than £1, usage similar to the modern £0.99 (which is also the approximate purchasing power in 2021 of 113⁄4d in 1961, the year when the farthing was withdrawn from circulation).[4]

The first bronze farthings were struck in 1860, in the reign of Queen Victoria, with a new reverse designed by Leonard Charles Wyon. This shows a seated Britannia, holding a trident, with the word FARTHING above. Between 1860 and 1895 there is a lighthouse to Britannia's left and a ship to her right. Various minor adjustments were made over the years to the level of the sea around Britannia and the angle of her trident. Some issues feature toothed edges to the coin, while others feature beading.

Britannia reverse, 1895–1936

After 1860, seven different obverses were used. Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II each had a single obverse for the farthings produced during their respective reigns. Over the long reign of Queen Victoria, two different obverses were used. The farthing of 1860 carried the so-called "bun head", or "draped bust" of Queen Victoria on the obverse. The inscription around the bust read VICTORIA D G BRITT REG F D (abbreviated Latin: Victoria by the grace of God queen of Britain defender of the faith). This was replaced in 1895 by the "old head", or "veiled bust". The inscription on these coins read VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP (Victoria by the grace of God queen of Britain defender of the faith empress of India).

Farthings issued during the reign of Edward VII feature his likeness and bear the inscription EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX FID DEF IND IMP (Edward VII by the grace of God king of all Britons defender of the faith emperor of India). Similarly, those issued during the reign of George V feature his likeness and bear the inscription GEORGIVS V DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX FID DEF IND IMP (George V by the grace of God king of all Britons defender of the faith emperor of India).

A farthing of King Edward VIII (reigned 1936) does exist, dated 1937, but technically it is a pattern coin, one produced for official approval, which it was due to receive at about the time that the King abdicated, and in the event no farthings bearing his likeness were ever issued. The pattern has a left-facing portrait of the king, who considered this to be his best side, and consequently broke the tradition of alternating the direction in which the monarch faces on coins — some viewed this as indicating bad luck for the reign; the inscription on the obverse is EDWARDVS VIII D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP (Edward VIII by the grace of God king of all Britons defender of the faith emperor of India).

One feature of the pattern farthing of Edward VIII was a redesigned reverse displaying the wren, one of Britain's smallest birds. From 1937 this appeared on the regular-issue farthings of George VI and was continued on the farthings of Elizabeth II until the last issue in 1956.

George VI coins feature the inscription GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP (George VI by the grace of God king of all Britons defender of the faith emperor of India) before 1949, and GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX FIDEI DEF (George VI by the grace of God king of all Britons defender of the faith) thereafter. Unlike the penny, farthings were minted throughout the early reign of Elizabeth II, bearing the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D (Elizabeth II by the grace of God queen of all Britons defender of the faith) in 1953, and ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D (Elizabeth II by the grace of God queen defender of the faith) thereafter.

Obverse designs

[edit]
  • George II
    George II
  • George III
    George III
  • George IV
    George IV
  • William IV
    William IV
  • Victoria (young)
    Victoria (young)
  • Victoria (old)
    Victoria (old)
  • Edward VII
    Edward VII
  • George V
    George V
  • George VI
    George VI
  • Elizabeth II
    Elizabeth II

Mintages

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Farthing (British coin)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The British farthing was a low-denomination valued at one quarter of a (1/240 of a ), representing the smallest unit of circulating currency in Britain from its introduction in 1279 until its demonetisation on 1 1961. Originating during the reign of King Edward I as part of a major coinage reform, the farthing replaced the informal practice of quartering silver pennies to make change, deriving its name from the feorthing, meaning "a fourth part." Initially struck in silver and measuring about 10 mm in diameter with a weight of approximately 0.4 grams, it featured an obverse portrait of the monarch and a long cross reverse to prevent clipping. Silver production continued until the mid-16th century under , after which the coin was not minted for nearly a century due to economic factors and a shift toward base metals. Copper farthing tokens emerged in 1613 to address shortages of small change, followed by official regal farthings in 1672 under Charles II, introducing the iconic seated reverse design that persisted for over 250 years. These coins were larger, around 23-25 mm, and facilitated everyday transactions. In 1860, during Queen Victoria's reign, the farthing transitioned to —a more durable alloy of 95% , 4% tin, and 1% —to reduce costs and wear, coinciding with a size reduction to 20 mm and a new reverse by engraver Leonard Charles Wyon depicting with updated details. The obverse consistently bore the monarch's , evolving through the styles of successive rulers from Victoria to . A significant redesign occurred in 1937 under , when the motif was replaced by a bird on the reverse, designed by Parker, symbolizing a modern shift toward naturalistic themes and originally intended for Edward VIII's unissued coinage. The farthing gained renewed utility during amid shortages of small denominations for rationing and vending, though its circulation remained limited compared to the halfpenny. Production halted in 1956 as inflation eroded its practical value, and it was demonetised on 1 January 1961, paving the way for in 1971.

Overview and Denomination

Value and Role in Currency

The term "farthing" derives from the Old English word feorthing, meaning "a fourth part" or "fourth-thing," reflecting its subdivision of the penny. In the British pre-decimal monetary system, known as £sd (librae, solidi, denarii), the farthing held a nominal value of one quarter of a penny, denoted as 1/4d and equivalent to 0.25 pence, positioning it as the smallest unit of currency with 960 farthings equaling one pound sterling. This value underscored its role alongside the penny and halfpenny in facilitating precise, fractional payments within the imperial economy. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the farthing served as the primary denomination for everyday small transactions, enabling affordable exchanges in daily life and commerce across Britain. It was particularly common for low-value purchases in imperial Britain, supporting the economic fabric of a society where minor expenditures required the finest granularity of coinage. Its utility persisted into the mid-20th century, even gaining heightened importance during amid rationing and price controls, though it circulated less freely than larger fractions like the halfpenny. Post-World War II progressively eroded the farthing's practical relevance, as rising prices diminished the need for such a minute denomination in routine transactions. By the , commercial demand had waned sufficiently that minting ceased in 1956, with the coin fully demonetized on December 31, 1960, marking the end of its role in Britain's evolving currency system ahead of decimalization in 1971.

Physical Specifications and Materials

The physical specifications of the British farthing evolved considerably from its origins as a small to its final bronze form, adapting to economic needs and metallurgical advancements while maintaining its role as minor currency. Early hammered examples from the medieval era, minted under monarchs such as Henry III (1216–1272) and Edward I (1272–1307), were typically silver with diameters ranging from 8 to 13 mm and weights of 0.2 to 0.5 grams, making them among the smallest circulating coins of the time. By the , the shift to base metals addressed silver shortages and counterfeiting issues; copper farthings introduced under James I (1603–1625) measured 12 to 15 mm in diameter and weighed approximately 0.5 grams, often featuring irregular shapes like ovals in later issues. Tin-based farthings with embedded copper plugs, issued during Charles II's reign (1660–1685), were larger at 23 to 24 mm in diameter and 5.4 to 6.0 grams in weight, designed to incorporate a minimal amount of higher-value metal for authenticity. The 18th and early 19th centuries saw further standardization for farthings; from 1694 onward, they consistently featured a 22 mm diameter and weight of around 4.72 grams (72.9 grains), with tolerances established under the Coinage Act 1816 to ensure uniformity in purity (near-pure ) and dimensions across productions. These coins had plain edges, lacking milled reeding as anti-counterfeiting features were deemed unnecessary for such low-denomination pieces. In 1860, production transitioned to —an of 95% , 4% tin, and 1% —for greater durability and cost efficiency, reducing the diameter to 20 mm and weight to 2.83 grams (43.75 grains), specifications that persisted unchanged through the reigns of Victoria to until the final minting in 1956. The plain edge remained standard, with official tolerances for weight (±2%) and composition enforced by the Mint to maintain .

Historical Development

Origins in Medieval England

The farthing, valued at one quarter of a silver penny, emerged as a distinct coin denomination in England during the late 13th century as part of a major currency reform initiated by King Edward I in 1279. Prior to this, the farthing existed informally as a quarter-section of a penny, often created by cutting the larger coin, but Edward I's recoinage standardized smaller denominations to improve circulation and reduce such practices. This reform introduced the round silver farthing alongside the halfpenny and groat, all struck to the sterling standard of 92.5% silver purity, with the farthing weighing approximately 0.36 grams and measuring 11-12 mm in diameter. These early farthings were produced using techniques, where blank discs of silver or occasionally billon (a silver- ) were struck between two dies using a hammer, resulting in irregular shapes and varying weights due to the manual process. Under Edward II and Edward III, the sterling standard was maintained, though the farthing's weight was slightly reduced in 1335 to about 0.33 grams amid broader adjustments to combat wear and clipping, ensuring consistency in the long cross reverse design that divided the coin into quadrants to prevent further cutting. By the 16th century, under , (1544-1551) severely impacted the farthing's composition, progressively reducing silver content from 92.5% to as low as 25% by alloying with more , driven by fiscal needs for warfare; this made the coins smaller (under 9 mm) and more base-metal oriented, with the final silver farthings issued during 's reign (1547-1553). After , no official farthings were minted for over a century, with private tokens filling the need for small change from 1613 onward. In parallel, Scottish coinage before the Union featured prototypes akin to the English farthing, such as subdivisions of the bawbee—a worth six pence Scots introduced in the under James V—which included half-bawbees and smaller cut fractions serving similar low-value roles, though minted separately to reflect Scotland's distinct monetary system. Silver farthings in ceased production after Edward VI's reign, paving the way for a shift to production in subsequent years.

Evolution Through the 19th and 20th Centuries

The farthing experienced a significant revival in copper during the late under , driven by wartime coin shortages and counterfeiting issues. In 1797, secured a contract with the government to produce copper coinage at his Mint in Birmingham, utilizing innovative steam-powered presses to enhance efficiency and quality. This marked the first use of steam technology for British coin minting, enabling the production of durable coins resistant to counterfeiting. Farthings were specifically issued starting in , weighing approximately 5.8–6.6 grams with a of 23–24 , featuring 's laureate bust on the obverse and on the reverse. By the mid-19th century, the farthing underwent standardization under as part of broader coinage reforms amid the Industrial Revolution's economic expansion. The Coinage Act of 1860 authorized the replacement of pure with a alloy (95% , 4% tin, 1% ), which was more cost-effective and harder-wearing, inspired by French coinage introduced in 1852. This change aligned the farthing's weight at around 2.83 grams and diameter of 20 mm, facilitating easier handling and production at 40 pence per pound of metal, compared to the previous standard. farthings entered circulation in 1860, with initial designs by Leonard Charles Wyon showing a reverse, and older farthings were gradually demonetized by 1869 to encourage the transition. The farthing's production continued annually during (1914-1918), with mintages maintaining or increasing to meet circulation needs. During , production increased significantly from 1939–1945 to support small transactions amid , with mintages reaching tens of millions annually, as the Royal Mint prioritized essential wartime materials while addressing metal shortages through relocation and efficiency measures. Despite this, the farthing retained utility for small transactions during periods. In 1937, the reverse design shifted from to a , created by engraver Harold Wilson Parker, symbolizing Britain's native wildlife and continuing through the postwar years until 1956. Post-1945, the farthing's circulation declined amid rising and early decimalization discussions, rendering its quarter- value increasingly obsolete for everyday use. eroded , with prices rising by about 74% from 1945 to 1959 according to the Retail Prices Index, making the farthing's nominal value—equivalent to less than a modern —impractical for vending machines and small retail. Parliamentary debates, such as the 1945 Commons discussion on systems, highlighted inefficiencies in the imperial , including low-denomination coins like the farthing, as Britain grappled with postwar reconstruction and balance-of-payments crises. These economic pressures culminated in the decision to halt minting in 1956, though the coin remained until December 31, 1960, paving the way for reforms.

Design Features

Obverse Portraits and Inscriptions

The obverse of the British farthing, featuring the reigning monarch's portrait and accompanying Latin inscriptions, evolved significantly from simplistic medieval designs to more detailed effigies reflecting artistic and regal advancements. During the reign of Edward I (1279–1307), the farthing's obverse displayed a forward-facing crowned bust of the king within a beaded circle, emphasizing a rudimentary profile that prioritized recognizability over intricacy. The inscription typically read "EDWARDVS REX" or abbreviated forms like "E R ANGLIE," proclaiming the monarch's title as King of England, with variations shortening the legend after 1280 to accommodate the smaller flan size. These early designs, struck in silver at royal mints such as and , marked the transition from cut pennies to dedicated coinage, focusing on the sovereign's authority through minimalistic portraiture. The introduction of official copper farthings in 1672 under Charles II featured a and cuirassed bust of the king facing left on the obverse, with the inscription "CAROLVS A CAROLO" (Charles, son of Charles). This design style, emphasizing classical elements, continued through subsequent reigns with adjustments for each monarch's facing direction per . For example, James II's farthings (–) showed a facing right, inscribed "IACOBVS II DEI GRATIA," while under George I (1714–1727), the obverse depicted a head facing left with "GEORGIUS D G MAG BRI FR ET HIB REX." In the 19th century, obverse portraits became more refined, incorporating styles influenced by neoclassical engraving techniques. For (1820–1830), Italian engraver crafted a laureate head facing left, adorned with a and draped shoulders, symbolizing classical heroism and imperial dignity. The inscription evolved to "GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA," incorporating "" to affirm divine right, a formula that persisted in variations across subsequent reigns. Under (1837–1901), the obverse shifted through multiple effigies: the Young Head (1838–1886) by depicted a youthful laureate bust facing left, followed by the Jubilee Head (1887–1893) by Joseph Edgar Boehm, showing an older, veiled profile to commemorate her . These portraits, inscribed with "VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITT: REG: F: D:" (, , Queen of the Britains, ), reflected the era's emphasis on imperial symbolism and the monarch's enduring reign. Pistrucci's influence extended indirectly through his advocacy for high-relief engraving standards, which informed later Victorian designs despite his primary work on higher denominations. The 20th century saw further diversification in portrait styles, adapting to technological advances in minting while maintaining the tradition of left-facing effigies for continuity. Edward VII's farthings (1901–1910) featured a bare head by George William de Saulles, with simplified drapery and the inscription "EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:" (Edward VII, by the Grace of God, King of All the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India). George V's reign (1911–1936) introduced multiple obverse variants: the initial portrait by Bertram Mackennal (1911–1924) showed an uncrowned bare head with hollow neck truncation, later modified in 1925 for a filled neck and adjusted lettering to improve striking quality. The inscription remained "GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:" until 1927, when "IND: IMP:" was omitted following the 1926 Imperial Conference. For Elizabeth II (1953–1956), the early effigy by Mary Gillick portrayed a young laureate head facing right, opposite to her father George VI's left-facing portrait, adhering to the tradition of alternating directions between reigns, adorned with a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks, inscribed "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F. D." (Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith). This effigy, emphasizing post-war modernity and the monarch's approachable youth, paired with the reverse to convey national unity in the final years of farthing production.

Reverse Designs and Symbolism

The reverse designs of British farthing coins evolved significantly over centuries, reflecting both practical needs and cultural symbolism, while maintaining a focus on national identity and economic utility. In medieval England, farthing reverses featured straightforward cross motifs to combat counterfeiting and clipping. Under Edward I, the 1279 recoinage introduced the long cross design, with arms extending to the coin's edges and often accompanied by pellets in each quadrant, ensuring the silver content remained verifiable and reducing the temptation to shave metal from the periphery. This practical symbolism underscored the crown's commitment to monetary integrity during a period of currency reform. From the late onward, the reverse prominently displayed , a of Britain first adopted on official copper farthings in 1672 under Charles II. Depicted as a seated warrior goddess wielding a in her right hand and resting on a shield emblazoned with the in her left, she faced right against a backdrop of waves, embodying Britain's naval supremacy and imperial resilience amid the Anglo-Dutch Wars. Tin farthings issued between 1684 and 1692 retained this motif, inscribed with "BRITANNIA" on the reverse. This Britannia design endured through the 18th and 19th centuries with subtle refinements, such as adjustments to her or robe details for artistic clarity. During the Victorian period (1860–1901), she symbolized the empire's global stability and , seated in flowing robes with a plumed ; a minor variation in 1895 aligned with the obverse's veiled head portrait but preserved the core iconography. The motif persisted into the early under and , reinforcing continuity in British coinage aesthetics until 1936. In 1937, under , the reverse underwent a major shift to a perched on a twig, designed by engraver Harold Wilson Parker (originally prepared for ). This naturalistic emblem, with the date above and "FARTHING" below, evoked the bird's status as Britain's smallest , paralleling the coin's modest value and perhaps alluding to the everyday resilience of the British populace amid economic challenges. The wren design continued until production ended in 1956.

Production and Circulation

Minting Processes and Locations

The production of British farthings began with at the Mint, established around 1279 during the reign of Edward I. Blanks of silver or were hand-cut and placed between two engraved dies, with one worker striking the upper die using a to imprint the design; this manual process continued for farthings until approximately 1662, producing irregular coins prone to wear and clipping. The transition to machine-minting occurred in 1662 at the same Tower Mint location, introducing horse-powered rolling mills to prepare uniform blanks, screw presses for striking at about 30 coins per minute, and edge-marking devices to deter counterfeiting through or lettering on higher denominations, though farthings retained plain edges. Copper farthings, however, saw limited milled production until the late due to persistent counterfeiting issues with lightweight fakes, prompting the government to contract private innovators. In 1799, Matthew Boulton’s Soho Mint in Birmingham pioneered steam-powered minting for copper farthings, using Boulton’s patented presses to strike coins at high volume with precise edges and uniform weight, achieving up to 70 coins per minute and significantly reducing counterfeits by producing durable, standardized pieces. The Royal Mint adopted similar steam technology after relocating to Tower Hill in 1810, resuming farthing production in 1821 with Boulton-supplied machinery that incorporated blank annealing—heating and slow cooling to soften metal for clearer strikes—and alloy mixing for consistent copper composition. By the mid-19th century, counterfeiting persisted, particularly with plated base-metal imitations, leading to the 1860 shift to alloy (95% , 4% tin, 1% ) for farthings, which required refined melting and mixing processes at the to ensure homogeneity before casting into strips, rolling, and blanking. To address striking flaws in early bronze trials, the Mint introduced toothed borders in August 1860, replacing beaded ones for better definition, while private contractors like Heaton & Sons in Birmingham produced some 1860 farthings using acquired Soho equipment for efficient, steam-driven output. Heaton's Mint handled select Victorian farthing issues (marked "H" under the date) from 1874 to 1882, employing comparable alloy preparation, annealing, and machine-pressing techniques to meet standards during peak demand. In the , farthing production at the Royal Mint's facility shifted to electric-powered presses around , enabling faster rates of up to 100 coins per minute and precise control over annealing cycles to maintain integrity amid wartime demands; these automated processes enhanced uniformity, directly contributing to the farthing's consistent diameter and weight until its discontinuation in 1956. Although the Mint relocated to in 1968 with advanced electric and hydraulic presses, this postdated farthing minting.

Mintage Figures and Variants

The production of British farthings spanned several centuries, with mintage figures influenced by economic needs, material changes, and technological advancements at the Royal Mint and contracted facilities like the Soho Mint. Early silver farthings under Edward I (1272–1307) were part of the 1279 recoinage, with annual outputs typically ranging from 100,000 to 1.5 million coins to support widespread small-denomination transactions across . These figures, derived from die studies and archival estimates, highlight the scale of medieval currency reform efforts. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, copper farthings under (1760–1820) were struck intermittently due to counterfeiting concerns and wartime demands during the . The 1799 issue, produced at the Soho Mint, totaled approximately 4.2 million coins, while the 1806–1807 series added several million more, marking a brief resurgence to meet circulating needs amid economic pressures. The shift to bronze in 1860 under (1837–1901) dramatically increased output, with 27.2 million farthings minted from 1860 to 1863 alone as part of a comprehensive recoinage to replace debased copper coins. Annual production during Victoria's reign generally ranged from 1 to 6 million. This peak reflected Britain's industrial expansion and the farthing's role in everyday retail transactions. Later 20th-century mintages declined as the farthing's utility waned, with (1910–1936) issues averaging 5–10 million annually, dropping to around 2 million for the final farthings in 1956. Low-mintage rarities are prized among collectors for their scarcity. The 1875 farthing, struck without a mint mark at the Royal Mint, had a production of just 713,000, the lowest of the Victorian bronze series due to reduced demand. Similarly, the 1881 farthing without 'H' () totaled about 1.3 million, while wartime constraints during limited some issues, such as the 1949–1952 second-type farthings to under 5 million combined. Proof sets from 1954, including the farthing, were produced in limited quantities estimated at fewer than 10,000, primarily for collectors and official presentations.
Year/ReignMintageNotes/Source
Edward I (annual avg., 1279–1307)100,000–1.5 millionSilver; recoinage output
, 1799~4.2 millionCopper, Soho Mint
Victoria, 1860–1863 (total)27.2 millionBronze recoinage
Victoria, 1875713,000Lowest Victorian bronze
, 1954 proof<10,000Part of proof sets
Variants arose from die preparation errors, minting techniques, and regional adaptations. Notable overdates include the 1851 'D over sideways D' and 1856 'R over E' on the obverse, where underlying digits or letters are visible from repunching. Die errors, such as the 1860 transitional mules pairing beaded-border obverses with toothed-border reverses, represent about 20% of that year's output and are scarcer due to their brief use during the bronze transition. Pre-Union regional issues, like Irish harp farthings under (e.g., 1806), featured a distinct harp reverse for circulation in Ireland; these were minted in smaller quantities than English counterparts, with exact figures unrecorded but estimated in the low millions based on Soho Mint ledgers. Proof and pattern coins highlight experimental designs outside standard circulation. The 1937 Edward VIII pattern farthing, struck in bronze with an uncrowned left-facing bust, numbered only a few dozen pieces for approval purposes and never circulated, with examples held in institutional collections. Such items, along with Victorian proofs like the 1877 farthing (mintage unknown but extremely limited), were produced for dignitaries and numismatists, often in bronzed copper for enhanced finish. Data on these derives primarily from archives and catalogs like those from Spink and Peck.

References

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  37. https://www.copper.org/education/history/60centuries/industrial_age/development.html
  38. https://www.chards.co.uk/guides/steam-power-boulton-and-watt-britannia-on-soho-coins/376
  39. https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/3202/9/Tungate_11_PhD_minusvol2.pdf
  40. https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/edwardian-farthings/edwardian-farthings-p2.htm
  41. https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/great-britain-farthing-km-895-1954-1956-cuid-42365-duid-121663
  42. https://www.sovr.co.uk/products/ireland-george-iii-1806-farthing-em16846
  43. https://www.rct.uk/collection/443674/edward-viii-pattern-farthing
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