Third Farthing 1878, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Third Farthing 1878, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1961)
CoinThird Farthing 1878

The Third Farthing was a small circulating coin of the British pre-decimal Pound Sterling, equal to 1/3 of a farthing, or one twelfth of a penny. There were 20 shillings to a pound, 12 pence to a shilling and 4 farthings to a penny, so 2,880 of these coins made up £1.

The coin was introduced in 1827 exclusively for use in Malta, but it is considered to be part of the British coinage as at that time Malta was considered more as a part of Britain than a colony. The farthing coin was already in circulation in Malta as a 3 grani coin, and the third farthing was introduced as 1 grano. A proclamation issued in Malta on 3 November 1827 legalised the new coins, referring to them as British Grains. The cost of living in Malta was lower than in Britain, and it was not considered appropriate to introduce them in Britain so they were never legal tender there.

Comparatively few coins were needed for Malta, so the denomination was not issued often. Coins were issued in 1827, 1835 and 1844 in copper, then in only nine different years between 1866 and 1913, in bronze.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 288,000
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Third Farthing 1878 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the young effigy of Queen Victoria by Leonard Charles Wyon, which is widely known as the "Bun Head" due to the Queen's hairstyle.

The portrait is truncated at the neck and does not show the Queen's shoulders, unlike on all other denominations.

Around, the monarch's legend: VICTORIA D. G. BRITT. REG. F. D.. Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription VICTORIA D. G. BRITT. REG. F. D.
Reverse
United Kingdom / Third Farthing 1878 - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin shows at its centre, on two lines, the value and denomination in words: ONE THIRD FARTHING.

Above that, St Edward's Crown. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, it has been traditionally used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th century (with a two-century gap between 1689 and 1911).

Below the value, the date 1878.

Around, a wreath of oak leaves tied below the date with a ribbon.

Reverse Inscription ONE THIRD FARTHING 1878
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Bressett, Kenneth E. 1962. A Guidebook of English Coins, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Wisconsin, USA. pp 9-10
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., pp187-188

Third Farthing 1878: Known varieties
Variety Small date
Mintage Issued: unknown (included in total)
Variety Proof
Images United Kingdom / Third Farthing 1878 / Proof - obverse photo United Kingdom / Third Farthing 1878 / Proof - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: unknown
Third Farthing 1878: References to Information Used
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Third Farthing 1878: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeThird Farthing
Issued1878
MonarchQueen Victoria
EffigyQueen Victoria - Portrait by Leonard Charles Wyon (Bun Head)
Face Value1/12 (x Penny)
Circulation Mintage288,000
Total Mintage288,000
CurrentNo; demonetised 1961
MaterialBronze
DesignerLeonard Charles Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size15.0000 mm
Mass0.9000 - 1.0000 g
OCC IDRMKG-OZAC-BBGA-ENXQ
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Third Farthing 1878: Photos
ImageDetails
Third Farthing 1878: Photo Proof Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1878 / thumbnail Proof Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1878
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Third Farthing 1878: Photo Proof Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1878 / thumbnail Proof Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1878
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Third Farthing 1878: Catalogue Reference IDs