Farthing 1860 (Copper), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Farthing 1860 (Copper), Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1870)
CoinFarthing 1860 (Copper)

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; there was a short-lived farthing format with larger coins with concave surfaces struck by the Soho Mint but it was only issued for two years.

After 1807, no farthing coins were issued until 1821, when this smaller version with a new-look Britannia and traditional flat surfaces was introduced; these coins were struck by the Royal Mint. Between 1821 and 1826, the First Issue of King George IV had an ornate Britannia reverse designed by William Wyon, chief engraver of the Royal Mint, and a portrait of the monarch by Benedetto Pistrucci; this version was only issued on farhings, unlike the other designs which had parallel issues in the halfpenny and penny denominations too. The king did not find the portrait satisfactory though, so it was re-designed by William Wyon in 1825 for the other denominations, with the new portrait and a simplified Britannia reverse introduced on the farthings from 1826.

This latter design is the same as that of the one penny, half penny and half farthing coins minted in the same years; coins of the four denominations look identical - 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.

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.

No copper farthing were issued for circulation in 1860. The only ones that exist are proofs. The coin shown in the photo below was part of the Sydney Mint's exhibit at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Mintageunknown
Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases
(affiliate ad)
Obverse
United Kingdom / Farthing 1860 (Copper) - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the young uncrowned effigy of Queen Victoria, facing left; the portrait is by William Wyon and is widely known as her "Young Head".

The Queen's hair is bound with a double fillet (ribbon) and collected into a knot behind.

Around, the monarch's legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1860. Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God.

The artist's initials W.W. (for William Wyon) are incuse on the truncation of the Queen's neck.

Obverse Inscription VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1860
Reverse
United Kingdom / Farthing 1860 (Copper) - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin shows, within a beaded border, the figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain - seated facing right, wearing a Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face, resting her right hand on a shield bearing a saltire of arms, and holding a trident in her left hand.

Around, the rest of the monarch's legend: BRITANNIAR: REG: FID: DEF:; translated from Latin: Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith.

In the exergue, a rose, a thistle and a shamrock combined - the floral symbols of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom, respectively England, Scotland and Ireland.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIAR: REG: FID: DEF:
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Bressett, Kenneth E. 1962. A Guidebook of English Coins, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Wisconsin, USA. pp 14-16
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., pp190-191

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.
Advertising
Buy Silver and Gold Bullion Online
Buy Silver and Gold Bullion Online
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Farthing 1860 (Copper): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeFarthing (Britannia, second design)
Issued1860
MonarchQueen Victoria
EffigyQueen Victoria - Portrait by William Wyon (Young Head)
ReverseBritannia, Seated
Face Value1/4 (x Penny)
Mintageunknown
CurrentNo; demonetised 1870
MaterialCopper
DesignerWilliam Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size22.0000 mm
Thickness1.6000 mm
Mass4.7500 g
OCC IDMXKD-EKQC-RRYZ-EWQJ
Search Similar Coins to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Farthing 1860 (Copper): Photos
ImageDetails
Farthing 1860 (Copper): Photo Proof Coin - Farthing, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1860 / thumbnail Proof Coin - Farthing, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1860
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Farthing 1860 (Copper): Photo Proof Coin - Farthing, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1860 / thumbnail Proof Coin - Farthing, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1860
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Farthing 1860 (Copper): Catalogue Reference IDs