Colin G.

It was not so long ago we were all in the same position. Ask away.....this is one of the joys of the hobby, spreading knowledge

Scott has solved the puzzle, it is an 1858 because of the WW incuse, all 1838 farthings were WW raised. Many have a strage 5 with the vertical upright of the 5 missing which makes people think its a 3. Scott you are definitely getting to grip with this identifying, well done!!

Peter I agree

Hi, There are eight different varieties to this date, all in relation to the position of the H. Your example appears to be my Reverse type 7, where the H has been recut. 1881H farthings - <<click here

Unless I've not kept up with some of the rarer varieties, I'd say that all 20th Century currency farthings are easy to come by, bar two : The 2+A 1953 pairing (especially the proof) - the 1+B is quite easy The 1915 'TT', Obverse 1. I have no real idea of the relative scarcity of the 1953 2+A, but I do know the 1915 is exceptionally rare. It's when you get to the Victorian bun and copper series that it really gets interesting. The different TT obverses are applicable to 1914 and 1915, there is also the 1911 hollow neck/normal neck versions, and you could possibly include the 1917 bright/dark finish. Other than coins that escaped the artificial darkening that about sums it up for the 20th century farthings at the moment Isn't it 1918 with the bright/dark finish ? Ooops typo

Unless I've not kept up with some of the rarer varieties, I'd say that all 20th Century currency farthings are easy to come by, bar two : The 2+A 1953 pairing (especially the proof) - the 1+B is quite easy The 1915 'TT', Obverse 1. I have no real idea of the relative scarcity of the 1953 2+A, but I do know the 1915 is exceptionally rare. It's when you get to the Victorian bun and copper series that it really gets interesting. The different TT obverses are applicable to 1914 and 1915, there is also the 1911 hollow neck/normal neck versions, and you could possibly include the 1917 bright/dark finish. Other than coins that escaped the artificial darkening that about sums it up for the 20th century farthings at the moment

Welcome to the madhouse

Kronos, The question you have asked is a bit open ended. I don't think there will ever be a definitive list of farthing varieties. The main varieties that are "known" are captured within CCGB. My site goes into things a bit deeper, but many of the varieties are not "well known" varieties, and many would even question whether they are worth recording. My area of collecting is farthings, and I enjoy studying the lesser known varieties, and recording anomolies that I find. For me it shows the "human" aspect of coin production and the errors that can occur in this process. My site is constantly expanding, and it seems to be a never ending process It is a case of there still being plenty of areas still to be studied with these wonderful little coins, and in my opinion the more people involved the better. Feel free to contribute

Welcome to the forum, and a big hello from another metal detecting coin collector!!

Peter I was also watching that one!!

I may also be interested in some!!

Ah but theirs is encased in plastic which makes it twice as expensive!!

And no farthings minted in 1870, 1871, 1877 & 1889..oh and they were only minted up to 1956

In my time detecting i have never found a genuine G3 shilling, but have found about 4-5 fakes. They must have been real conmen in this area

Scott I am always a bit sceptical about the unbarred A's unless the coin is a crisp UNC on which there is no trace of the centre bar. On many farthings in circulated grades with even the slightest amount of dirt etc. the appearance of unbarred A's is given, however upon closer inspection traces can be found. These areas of the dies, must have filled quite quickly resulting in poor horizontal bars. Without seeing the coin in hand and checking through a loop it will be impossible to tell, and even then it may be inconclusive. Not to say it isn't an interesting feature, but one that is difficult to confirm/dismiss.

Scott, That looks to me very much like the 5 over 5 where the curve of the 5 can be clearly seen. This is sometimes accompanied by the 3 also being over a 2, but the only tell tale sign will be the loop of the two extending past the top of the 3. If you have a look at my 1853 page you will see what I mean. As for the mishape of the 5 without a closer/clearer image I would be inlcined to agree that it will be damage to the coin which in many cases can create the look of another digit, or an unexplainable feature. If you can get a macro shot of the date, I may be able to confirm.

They are a kids toy too, so you can pick them up real cheap!!

I also have a digital blue microscope...they are great, but a pain with windows vista.

Jamie the second one is a Victorian Crown

The copper farthings were only produced up to 1859, with handful of 1860 and 1864 farthings produced, but they were not for circulation. I would be amazed if such a rare none circulation coin had ended up being subject to that much circulation. Not impossible but certainly unlikely. The 1864 farthings also have a raised I before the incuse WW. I think you would struggle to get a positive attribution on a coin in that condition.

Scott, This is a common feature on some 1873 farthings, and can also be found by the date on certain die varieties just above the 8. May be a clashed die (like the striations shown Here )but I haven't yet had a look whether there is a match in the design on the obverse, or there could be another explanation. Have a look at reverse 5 here>> You certainly are an observant collector Scott!!

Bought a fairly low value hammered farthing, received a package a few days later with the wrong coin in it. Contacted seller and explained, he said the correct coin would be posted out, no apology. A few days later still no coin, contacted him again, he said that he was keeping my coin and would not send it out until I had returned the other coin to him at my cost. To try and resolve things amicably, I returned the coin at my expense back to him, still no apology or thanks for returning the incorrect coin at my expense. Several weeks later still no coin, and I am out of pocket for returning the coin back to him that he sent by mistake!! It has been a long time since I felt the need to issue a neg, but it may be happening soon!!

That is the exact approach I have taken in the past . We are all capable of mistakes, but at least try and put it right

They would probably auction it through their site like they have done in the past

It cost me a fair few quid, so I am hoping there are not too many out there