Half farthing facts for kids
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | £0.00052083 0.125d |
|---|---|
| Mass | 2.3 g |
| Diameter | 18.0 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | (1828–1856) copper (1868) bronze |
| Years of minting | 1828, 1830, 1837, 1839 1842–1844, 1847, 1851–1854, 1856, 1868 (proof only) |
| Obverse | |
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|
| Design | Profile of the monarch (Victoria design shown) |
| Designer | William Wyon |
| Design date | 1839 |
| Reverse | |
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| Design | Various (Crown and rose-thistle-shamrock design shown) |
| Design date | 1842 |
The half farthing was a very small British coin. It was worth 1⁄1920 of a pound, which is a tiny amount! To help you understand, it was also 1⁄8 of a penny.
These coins were first made from copper. This happened in different years between 1828 and 1856. They were mainly used in British Ceylon, which is now the country of Sri Lanka. Later, in 1868, a special bronze version was made. These were called proof coins, meaning they were made for collectors, not for everyday use. In 1842, the half farthing became official money in the United Kingdom. However, by December 31, 1869, all British copper coins, including the half farthing, were no longer valid money.
Contents
The Story of the Half Farthing
The Royal Mint is where coins are made in Britain. They first created half farthings in 1828. These coins were meant for use in British Ceylon. The designs were made by an artist named William Wyon.
Early Designs: George IV and William IV
The front of the coin, called the obverse, showed a picture of King George IV. He was facing left. Around his picture, there was writing that said "GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA" and the year. The back of the coin, called the reverse, showed a figure of Britannia. She was seated, holding a shield and a trident. The writing on the back said "BRITANNIAR: REX FID: DEF:".
These first coins were made of copper. Each coin weighed about 2.4 grams and was 18 millimeters wide. The mint made more George IV half farthings in 1830.
Then, during the time of King William IV, only one set of half farthings was made in 1837. The front of these coins showed a picture of William IV, also designed by Wyon. He was facing right. The writing said "GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA" and the year. The back of these coins used the exact same design as the George IV coins. They were also the same size and weight.
Queen Victoria's Half Farthings
When Queen Victoria became queen, the half farthing got a new look in 1839. William Wyon designed the front again. It showed a picture of Queen Victoria facing left. The writing said "VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D:".
The back of the coin was completely changed. This was done so it wouldn't look too much like other coins, like the fourpence. The new design featured a royal crown at the top. Below the crown were the words "HALF FARTHING" and the year. Underneath the date, there was a rose design with three leaves on each side.
More half farthings were made in many years after that: 1842, 1843, 1844, 1847, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, and 1856. They all kept the same size and weight. However, the rose design on the back was changed. It became a mix of a rose, a thistle, and a shamrock. These three plants represent England, Scotland, and Ireland. In 1868, special proof half farthings were made in bronze and copper-nickel. But these were not made for people to use as money.
The End of the Half Farthing
On June 13, 1842, half farthings officially became "legal tender" in the United Kingdom. This meant they could be used to pay for things. Some newspapers, like The Times, wrote articles that didn't like this new coin.
However, the half farthing's time as money didn't last forever. On December 31, 1869, all British copper coins, including the half farthing, were "demonetised." This means they were no longer considered valid money.
