Introduction: GB & Ireland copper halfpennies (1825-60) are very sought after by collectors. They are often found in attic clearances and car boot sales in Ireland. The comparatively soft metal results in few coins surviving in higher grades. Many varieties exist and the main ones have been listed below. Like his brother (George IV), William…
Introduction: William IV (b. 21 August 1765, d. 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death in 1837. He was the third son of George III and he succeeded his elder brother George IV. Like his elder brother,…
Introduction: After the Great Recoinage of 1817 the silver threepence was primarily produced for the Maundy Ceremony. It was not until 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria, that the threepence was struck for general circulation in Great Britain and Ireland. In the interim, a short run of silver threepences were minted in London for…
Introduction: GB & Ireland copper pennies (1825-60) are very sought after by collectors. They are often found in attic clearances and car boot sales in Ireland. The comparatively soft metal results in few coins surviving in higher grades. Many varieties exist and the main ones have been listed below. William IV William IV became king…
Introduction: The GB & Ireland “William IV” groats (or fourpence) were minted exclusively for use in British Guiana. The coin’s obverse design was simply copied from the Maundy Money groat of William IV but William Wyon produced a completely new design for the reverse. Prior to this introduction, British Sterling had problems being accepted as…
Introduction: The ‘three-halfpence’ was the smallest silver coin ever struck by the Royal Mint for circulation. It was worth 11⁄2d (or 1⁄160 of a pound) and was produced for circulation in the British colonies, specifically for use in British Guiana, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Mauritius, Sierra Leone and the West Indies. They were a rough…
Background William IV was the third son of George III, William succeeded his elder brother George IV, as the last king and penultimate monarch of Britain’s House of Hanover. Since his two older brothers died without leaving legitimate issue, he inherited the throne when he was 64 years old. King of the United Kingdom King…
The Third-Farthing The first of the fractional farthings to be issued was the third-farthing, which throughout the period of issue from 1827 to 1913 was minted exclusively for use in Malta. The island used British coins, but the grano, dating from before British rule, was valued at one-twelfth of a penny. As a result the…
A quarter-farthing was issued for use only in Ceylon between 1839 and 1853, and was never legal tender in the UK & Ireland. However, they are usually considered to be part of the UK coin series, as Ceylon used British currency at that time.
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 