Two Victorian-era Farthings

KurtS · Senior Member

Farthings are great coins to photograph because it's a useful way to study the details of this small denomination.

Here's are 1881-H and 1891 Farthings I found the other day in an antique shop--the same place I found this 1844 1/8d variety.

Dick · Expert Member

Kurt, I am going to show my ignorance, but, being as I have never had any interest in the coins of the UK, and know nothing of the equivilant to out coinage, I must ask: "What is a farthing,etc, and how does it equate with our coinage"? thaning you in advance, for your info,

Dick

KurtS · Senior Member

Well, I was pretty ignorant of UK predecimals as well, so I had to look it up. Laughing

The Farthing was worth a 1/4 penny, or 960 to a British Pound. During this time, I think the Pound was equivalent to roughly $4.50. In other words, a Farthing was worth slightly less than half a US cent.

GarryN · Expert Member

Those are really nice coins out of an antique shop. I have always like the interpretations of Brittania on British coins.

KurtS · Senior Member

Thanks! I've found some good coins in this shop, which is mostly US/UK/Aus war memorabilia. He must get some good coins with other items, and I'm happy to take them off his hands for a few $. Laughing

Speaking of Britannia, I noticed the two designs are different within the span of just a decade, such as on the helmet.

Dick · Expert Member

Kurt, thanks for the info. I suspected that it might be a "fourth", just from the spelling, and the pronunciation. I had no idea as to the rest. I know the value of the pound, but the "shilling" is another, that throws me for a loss. Any info? Thanks, for all the info. It makes a difference. Dick

KurtS · Senior Member

Dick, whenever I open Krause to UK, I'm bewildered by the number of coin denominations--at least for predicimal.

Here's a breakdown to the confusion:
2 Farthings = 1 Halfpenny
2 Halfpennies = 1 Penny
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
2 Shillings = 1 Florin
5 Shillings = 1 Crown
20 Shillings = 1 Pound

In other words, 240 Pence = 1 Pound.
I think the decimal system is an improvement! Laughing

JRocco · Veteran Member

Hey Kurt,
Nice pics and nice coins.
I remember seeing these UK coins in well worn circulated condition for just a couple of dollars each years ago and being shocked that you could still see nice 19th Century coins so reasonably priced.
Yours are much nicer examples than mine by the way.
Did I mention that those are really nice pics....

GarryN · Expert Member

I recall on the 1652 dated Massachusetts coinage, the denomination was valued in pence so there were digits on the reverse that indicated 3 pence, 7 pence and 12 pence to name a few. 12 pence was also called the shilling. Here is an example of the shilling.

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_coins/massachusetts_silver/ma_silver_coins.html

KurtS · Senior Member

Dick · Expert Member

Kurt, I agree, the decimal system is great. Even tho they are tryiong to get us on the metric system, I eouild hate to think that later they might try to akke us back to the Inglish pre-decimals, as well. Yuck! President Chealsey Clinton, please don't get any weird ideas!
Dick