Summary
Tin coin with a copper plug; Denomination: Farthing
Royal Mint, London
King Charles II (1660-1685)
In 1684 it was decided to issue the farthing in tin with a copper plug to mahe forgery difficult. The edge legend, servant of the coinage in Latin, reflects the fact that this was a token coin - the value of metal it contained was less than the current value of the coin. Profit to the state of this production was 40% and it is recorded that part of the reason for the move away from copper was to assist tin mining. This coin is in the usual condition they are found - suffering corrosion of the tin.
Obverse Description
Mostly missing due to corrosion - Laureate bust of Charles II wearing armour facing left; around, CAROLVS . A . CAROLO
Reverse Description
Mostly missing due to corrosion - Britannia seated facing left on a globe, extending an olive branch and holding a spear, her left hand rests on a shield decorated with the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew; around, BRITANNIA.
Edge Description
Missing due to corrosion - NVMMORVM * FAMVLVS * 1684 *
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Benett, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1684 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
Royal Mint, London, London, England, Great Britain, 1684
The Royal Mint was in the Tower of London at this time and is usually referred to as the Tower Mint -
Denomination
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Series
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Material
Tin
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
23 mm (Outside Diameter), 5.058 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
[Book] Peck, C. W. 1970. English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the British Museum., Peck 532 Pages
[Catalogue] Pullin, Ruth. 2011. Nature Revealed: Eugene von Guerard.
