Summary

Tin coin: Denomination: Farthing
Coined by James Hoare and Andrew Corbet
King William III and Queen Mary II (1688-1694)

Mary was the daughter of James II. For reasons of politics she had married William of Orange, James II nephew and left England to live with him in the Netherlands. When James II lost support, William was invited to invade England and to take over the throne jointly with his wife. James II escaped to France and live there in exile until his death. William and Mary are both depicted on the obverse of their coins, William insisted that he take precedence so his bust superimposes on hers.

On 12 October 1689 Charles Godolphin, James Hoare and Andrew Corbet were authorised to coin tin halfpence and farthings for William and Mary. The dies were engraved by George Bowers until March 1890 when he died and then probably by James Roettier. On 17 April 1694 the British House of Commons resolved to issue halfpence and farthings in English copper (earlier copper coins were made from imported Swedish copper), replacing the tin pieces. A farthing is a 1/4 penny.

Obverse Description

Conjoined busts of William (laureate) and Mary facing right; around, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA

Reverse Description

Britannia seated facing left holding a spear and an olive branch, her left arm rests on a shield decorated with the combined crosses of St. George and St. Andrew; around, BRITANNIA in exergue, 1694

Edge Description

In raised letters, [NVMMORVM FAMVLVS 1690] (mostly corroded)

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