Background:

By the 1950s, the farthing had pretty much lost its spending power and there were calls for its withdrawal. An average of 20 million farthings per year were produced during the reign of George VI but inflation made these coins virtually obsolete during Elizabeth’s early reign.

The Royal Mint stopped producing them in 1956

The coins were gradually withdrawn from circulation from 1959 onwards

The farthing ceased to be legal tender on 31st December 1960

These coins circulated alongside their Irish equivalents in Ireland up until 1960 and they are commonly found in Ireland in old accumulations even nowadays.

Farthing: Elizabeth II

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

Bronze (95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc) Weight: 2.83g

2.83g Diameter: 22.19mm

22.19mm Edge: Plain

Plain Designers Obverse: Mary Gillick (MG) Reverse: Harold Wilson Parker (WP)



Obverse, Type 1: 1953 only

Bust of Elizabeth II draped right, wearing a wreath of leaves with 3 pairs of two berries starting at the back, which is tied behind the head with a riband which has the two loose ends extending behind.

M·G· (Mary Gillick) on the center of the edge of the shoulder truncation (above BR).

Beaded border with thick, raised rim.

Legend: ELIZABETH II DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REGINA F: D: Full Latin text: ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX Translation: “Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith.”

ELIZABETH II DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REGINA F: D:

Reverse:

A wren standing left, date above, value below

WP (H Wilson Parker) in field behind feet

Legend: FARTHING

Obverse, Type 2: 1954-56 inclusive

Bust of Elizabeth II draped right, wearing a wreath of leaves with 3 pairs of two berries starting at the back, which is tied behind the head with a riband which has the two loose ends extending behind.

M·G· (Mary Gillick) on the center of the edge of the shoulder truncation (above BR).

Beaded border with thick, raised rim.

Legend: ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA: REGINA F: D: Full Latin text: ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX Translation: “Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA: REGINA F: D:

Reverse:

A wren standing left, date above, value below

WP (H Wilson Parker) in field behind feet

Legend: FARTHING

Market Values:

Further reading: