Third Farthing 1913, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Third Farthing 1913, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1961)
CoinThird Farthing 1913

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 1913 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George V facing left.

Below, on the neck truncation in small letters, are the designer's initials B.M. (for [Sir Edgar] Bertram Mackennal).

Around, the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:. Translated from Latin: George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.

Obverse Inscription GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Reverse
United Kingdom / Third Farthing 1913 - 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 1913.

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

Reverse Inscription ONE THIRD FARTHING 1913
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 1913: References to Information Used
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Third Farthing 1913: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeThird Farthing
Issued1913
MonarchKing George V
EffigyKing George V - Bare Head, by Bertram Mackennal
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 IDYRVP-OVRC-RRYJ-ODQG
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Third Farthing 1913: Photos
ImageDetails
Third Farthing 1913: Photo Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1913 / thumbnail Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1913
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
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Source
Third Farthing 1913: Photo Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1913 / thumbnail Coin - 1/3 Farthing, Malta, 1913
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Third Farthing 1913: Catalogue Reference IDs