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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,422 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
In my younger days I had many 50 or 60. I keep thinking they might show up going through my mother's stuff but I'm losing hope. It's odd that this is the only series unaccounted for.  I love all British coppers! ok I love all coppers but because I lived there a large bit of my youth, I'm biased. Well I guess I could look at the bright side... I get to start over  yes, I'm a little bored at work :) |
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Pillar of the Community
Turkey
870 Posts |
I always love Wren farthings. They have than simple, yet beautiful design. Half crown and Wren farthings are some of my most favourite British pre-decimal money.
I wonder how is it to see them in actual circulation. You are lucky in that sense:)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1256 Posts |
I was there late 60's early 70's. It was demonetized in 61 but still easy to pick up just not in circulation.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I have most of the 20th-century farthings and a few from the 19th century in my collection. They are indeed fine little coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
timsumrall: I usually acquire any milled English / British farthings that come my way, from Charles 11 to George 111.
Coins from this period are usually found very worn, because they saw much circulation, and due to the fact that they were made from pure copper, which is softer. To obtain a farthing from this period in much superior condition is somewhat of a minor achievement.
BTW, where in England did you live, and has it affected your accent? My next door neighbours came from London, have a Cockney accent, but their kids have a strong Australian accent.
Also BTW, I lived and worked in Manchester for a couple of years. I picked up a U.S. gold dollar from a coin show in Manchester for thirty shillings.
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Just think, 960 of them to the Pound!
In "old money", 1 Pound (£1) = 20 Shillings, 1 Shilling (1/- or 1s) = 12 Pence, and 1 Penny (1d) = 4 farthings.
I remember the changeover to decimal (the Pound remained the same value) as I was working part-time in a pub, and it was me who updated all the prices the evening before. We showed the new price in large figures and the old price in small figures underneath. At lunchtime on 15th February 1971 ("D-Day") we had record takings and as I was the only one who was used to the "new money" I had to do most of the work - handsome bonus in paper money!
An interesting fact is that although we had a few of the new half-, one- and two- penny coins, that supply soon ran out and we had to give change in "old money". The new 5p and 10p coins had been issued from 1968 as they were exactly the same dimensions as the Shilling and Florin which they replaced.
Bill.
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Pillar of the Community
Turkey
870 Posts |
Bill, l have a question for you, were Victoria, Edward VII or George V copper pennies and halfpennies common in the change back in the 60's or 70's?..
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
I might as well give a full reply so that everyone will know the answer.
The standard coinage commenced 1816, with pennies, halfpennies and farthings being copper, but from 1860 smaller bronze coins replaced the copper. All copper coins ceased to be legal tender at the end of 1869.
Silver coins were to the same specification commencing 1816, at .925 fine, but changed to .500 during 1920 and to cupro-nickel commencing 1947.
The last pre-decimal circulation coins were dated 1967 but every coin dated 1816 onwards was still legal tender at that time, apart from farthings which ceased to be legal tender at the end of 1960.
Most .925 silver coins were withdrawn from circulation early and many more silver coins, including .500 fine were withdrawn at the change to cupro-nickel, but a few remained in circulation to the end.
The bronze issues remained in use according to their condition, as in Britain coins are often weighed rather than counted. Diameter and weight are the important factors. The very thin ones were withdrawn if they got to a bank, otherwise they remained in circulation.
Coins of Queen Victoria were in use alongside those of Queen Elizabeth II, but in ever decreasing numbers.
There are a few post 1816 but pre decimalisation coins which are still legal tender today, but that's another story!
Bill.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1007 Posts |
I love the wren farthings too. I have quite a few of the wren farthings and earlier and am slowly putting a collection together. They're getting harder to find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
I lived not too far from Oxford for 5 years. My father was in the Air Force stationed there. I don't have many older coins. My collection starts late Victorian. I don't recall my farthing set going back too far. Might have had a couple Victorians.
Nice info Bill Thanks. I remember D-Day even though it did not affect us as much.
Did you know that the Americans couldn't have US cents while there? Too close to the sixpence. They worked in any coin machine.
Edited by timsumrall
07/09/2011 4:32 pm
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,422 |
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Posted 07/08/2011 4:51 pm
