Farthing 1806, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Farthing 1806, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1870)
CoinFarthing 1806

The Farthing was a small circulating coin of the British pre-decimal Pound Sterling, equal to a quarter of a penny. Prices were never written in farthings though - something worth a farthing would be quoted as 1/4d ("d" being the abbreviation for "penny", from the Roman "denarius"). There were 20 shillings to a pound, 12 pence to a shilling and 4 farthings to a penny, so 960 of these coins made up £1.

In 1801 the parliaments of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland each passed an Act of Union, uniting the two kingdoms and creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Re-coinage followed in 1806 and these coins are part of it; they are known as the "Fourth Issue" copper coinage of King George III, the first three coinages being while the country was still just Great Britain.

Between 1770 and the end of the century the practice of counterfeiting had become so prevalent in England that scarcely any genuine British copper coins remained in circulation. The 1770-1775 issue was melted in huge quantities and made into lightweight counterfeit coins; the only other pieces in circulation were the merchants' tokens issued by private firms for their own convenience.

It was during this period that Matthew Boulton offered a solution to the problem by proposing that (1) each coin should contain its intrinsic value of metal, (2) a retaining collar should be used to maintain a constant diameter and (3) a broad raised rim should be used to save the coin from undue wear. He further proposed that a steam powered coinage press be used to produce a more uniformly finished coin with a greater rate of output. A total of £10,557 worth of farthings were coined by Boulton at the Soho Mint in the years 1799, 1806 and 1807. The dies were produced by Conrad Heinrich Küchler, a talented Flemish die cutter. The faces of these coins are slightly concave to protect the design from wear and prevent counterfeiting. The design is identical to that of the one penny and half penny coins minted in the same years; the difference is only in size. Typically for British coinage of the time, the denomination (or, indeed, the country of issue) is not spelled out on the coin. The reverse features the figure of Britannia, which had already been used on earlier English coins, as well as on Roman coins minted in Britain.

This format of the denomination was short-lived. After 1807, no farthings were issued until 1821, when a smaller version was introduced, with a different design and traditional flat surfaces. All these farthings were minted in copper, but after 1860 the denomination changed to bronze with an even smaller size; all British copper coinage was demonetised after 31 December 1869.

MintSoho Mint Mint MarkSOHO Mintageunknown
Obverse
United Kingdom / Farthing 1806 - obverse photo

Within a beaded border, the obverse of the coin shows the laureate and draped bust of King George III facing right.

Around, the monarch's legend GEORGIUS III · D : G · REX.. Translated from Latin: George the Third, by the Grace of God, King. Below that, the date 1806.

On the neck truncation, a tiny letter K represents the designer's initial (for [Conrad Heinrich] Küchler).

Obverse Inscription GEORGIUS III · D : G · REX. 1806
Reverse
United Kingdom / Farthing 1806 - reverse photo

Within a beaded border, the reverse of the coin shows the figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain - seated on a rock, facing left, holding a trident and extending an olive branch; a shield decorated with the British flag rests against the rock at right. In the background to the left, a sailing ship.

Around above, the legend BRITANNIA.

The mint name, SOHO, is in relief on the right end of the rock. At the foot of Britannia's trident, between its shaft and the shield, a tiny letter K represents the designer's initial (for [Conrad Heinrich] Küchler).

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA
EdgeSecurity groove (grained)Edge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Bressett, Kenneth E. 1962. A Guidebook of English Coins, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Wisconsin, USA. pp 13-14
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., p190

Farthing 1806: Known varieties
Variety Bust 1
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

According to Collectors' Coins GB, this obverse has incuse curls of the side whiskers, and the lower wreath leaves have overlapping strands of hair.

Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Variety Bronze-plated Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Variety Gilt Proof
Images United Kingdom / Farthing 1806 / Gilt Proof - obverse photo United Kingdom / Farthing 1806 / Gilt Proof - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

Gold-plated proof.

Showing 100 from a total of 136 coins of type: Farthing
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Farthing 1806 unknown King George III - Laureate Head by Küchler GEORGIUS III · D : G · REX. 1806
Farthing 1807 unknown King George III - Laureate Head by Küchler GEORGIUS III · D : G · REX. 1807
Farthing 1821 2,688,000 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA.
Farthing 1822 5,924,352 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA.
Farthing 1823 2,365,440 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA.
Farthing 1825 4,300,800 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA.
Farthing 1826 (First Issue) 6,666,240 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA.
Farthing 1826 (Second Issue) 6,666,240 King George IV - Laureate Head by Wyon GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1826 ·
Farthing 1827 2,365,440 King George IV - Laureate Head by Wyon GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1827 ·
Farthing 1828 2,365,440 King George IV - Laureate Head by Wyon GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1828 ·
Farthing 1829 1,505,280 King George IV - Laureate Head by Wyon GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1829 ·
Farthing 1830 2,365,440 King George IV - Laureate Head by Wyon GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1830 ·
Farthing 1831 2,688,000 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA 1831
Farthing 1834 1,935,360 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA 1834
Farthing 1835 1,720,320 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA 1835
Farthing 1836 1,290,240 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA 18316
Farthing 1837 3,010,560 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA 1837
Farthing 1838 591,360 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1838
Farthing 1839 4,300,800 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1839
Farthing 1840 3,010,560 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1840
Farthing 1841 1,720,320 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1841
Farthing 1842 1,290,240 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1842
Farthing 1843 4,085,760 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1843
Farthing 1844 430,080 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1844
Farthing 1845 3,225,600 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1845
Farthing 1846 2,580,480 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1846
Farthing 1847 3,879,720 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1847
Farthing 1848 1,290,240 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1848
Farthing 1849 645,120 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1849
Farthing 1850 430,080 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1850
Farthing 1851 1,935,360 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1851
Farthing 1852 822,528 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1852
Farthing 1853 1,028,628 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1853
Farthing 1854 6,504,960 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1854
Farthing 1855 3,440,640 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1855
Farthing 1856 1,771,392 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1856
Farthing 1857 1,075,200 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1857
Farthing 1858 1,720,320 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1858
Farthing 1859 1,290,240 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1859
Farthing 1860 (Copper) unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1860
Farthing 1860 2,867,200 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1861 8,601,600 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1862 14,336,000 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1863 1,433,600 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1864 (Copper) unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1864
Farthing 1864 2,508,800 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1865 4,659,200 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1866 3,584,000 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1867 5,017,600 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1868 4,851,208 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1869 3,225,600 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1872 2,150,400 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1873 3,225,620 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1874 3,584,000 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1875 6,805,560 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1876 1,175,200 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1877 (Proof only) unknown Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1878 4,008,540 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1879 3,977,180 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1880 1,842,710 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1881 5,286,670 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1882 1,792,000 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1883 1,128,680 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1884 5,782,000 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1885 5,442,308 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1886 7,767,790 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1887 1,340,800 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1888 1,887,250 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1890 2,133,070 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1891 4,959,690 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1892 887,240 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1893 3,904,320 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1894 2,396,770 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1895 (Young Head) 2,852,852 Queen Victoria - Bun Head VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :
Farthing 1895 (Veiled Head) 2,852,852 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1896 3,668,610 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1897 4,579,800 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1898 4,010,080 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1899 3,864,616 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1900 5,969,317 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1901 8,016,459 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI · GRA · BRITT · REGINA · FID · DEF · IND · IMP ·
Farthing 1902 5,125,120 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1903 5,331,200 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1904 3,628,800 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1905 4,076,800 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1906 5,340,160 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1907 4,399,360 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1908 4,264,960 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1909 8,852,480 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1910 2,598,400 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1911 5,196,800 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1912 7,669,760 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1913 4,184,320 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1914 6,126,988 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1915 7,129,254 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1916 10,993,325 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1917 21,434,844 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1918 19,362,818 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1919 15,089,425 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Farthing 1920 11,480,536 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:
Showing 1 to 100 of 136 Coins.
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Farthing 1806: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeFarthing (Britannia, first design)
Issued1806
MonarchKing George III
EffigyKing George III - Laureate Head by Conrad Küchler
ReverseBritannia, Seated
Face Value1/4 (x Penny)
Mintageunknown
CurrentNo; demonetised 1870
MaterialCopper
DesignerConrad Heinrich Küchler
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size21.0000 mm
Thickness1.8400 mm
Mass4.7000 g
OCC IDQRAP-OBNC-WWMM-OYJD
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Farthing 1806: Photos
ImageDetails
Farthing 1806: Photo Gilt Proof 1806 Farthing / thumbnail Gilt Proof 1806 Farthing
Copyright: Heritage Auctions
Notes: Gilt proof.
Source
Farthing 1806: Photo Gilt Proof 1806 Farthing / thumbnail Gilt Proof 1806 Farthing
Copyright: Heritage Auctions
Notes: Gilt proof.
Source
Farthing 1806: Photo Coin - Farthing, George III, Great Britain, 1806 / thumbnail Coin - Farthing, George III, Great Britain, 1806
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Farthing 1806: Photo Coin - Farthing, George III, Great Britain, 1806 / thumbnail Coin - Farthing, George III, Great Britain, 1806
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Farthing 1806: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom3782
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsGreat Britain KM# 661, 661a Gilt, 661b Bronzed