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:

 

Further Reading:

 

• Fractional Farthings

  • Copper / Bronze
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Quarter-Farthings
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Third-Farthings
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Half-Farthings

• Farthing (¼d)

  • Copper Farthings
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Copper Farthings of George IV
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Copper Farthings of William IV
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Copper Farthings of Victoria
  • Bronze Farthings
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Bronze Farthings of Victoria
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Bronze Farthings of Edward VII
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Ireland Bronze Farthings of George V
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Northern Ireland Bronze Farthings of George VI
    • O’Brien Coin Guide: GB & Northern Ireland Bronze Farthings of Elizabeth II