Background:

Edward VIII advised the Royal Mint that he wanted a modern coinage to reflect a modern Britain but, after his abdication, it was his younger brother (George VI) who inherited his new designs – the first of which was the farthing.

A European Wren replaced Britannia on the reverse.

This bird motif was similar to the Woodcock on the Irish farthing

These coins circulated alongside their Irish equivalents in Ireland up until 1960 and they are commonly found in Ireland in old accumulations even nowadays. George VI farthings are still quite easy to find and market prices reflect their high survival rates.

Farthing: George VI

Alloy: Bronze (95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc)

Weight: 2.83g

Diameter: 22.19mm

Edge: Plain

Designers Obverse: T.H. Paget (HP) Reverse: Harold Wilson Parker (WP)



Obverse, Type 1: 1937-48 inclusive



Bare head of George VI left, truncated below the neck. HP (T H Paget) below the truncation

Toothed border with a narrow, raised rim

Legend: GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: Full Latin text: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR INDIAE IMPERATOR Translation: George VI, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.



Reverse:

A wren standing left, date above, value below

WP (H. Wilson Parker) in field behind feet

Legend: FARTHING

Edge:

Plain

Obverse, Type 2: 1949-52 inclusive

Bare head of George VI left, truncated below the neck. HP (T.H. Paget) below the truncation

Toothed border with a narrow, raised rim

Legend: GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF. Full Latin text: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR Translation: George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith.



Reverse:

A wren standing left, date above, value below

WP (H. Wilson Parker) in field behind feet

Legend: FARTHING

Edge:

Plain

Market Values:

George VI, Type 1 Obverse

George VI, Type 2 Obverse

Further Reading: