Half Farthings

This page was last updated on: May 15, 2012 9:30 AM

Issued originally in 1828 for use in Ceylon, Half Farthings were officially made current in the United Kingdom from 1842 to 1869.

Two Reverses occur for 1828 and 1830 :

Reverse A. (Normal.) Slightly larger Britannia, easily distinguished by the trident prongs reaching well into the line of the lettering.

Reverse B. (Very rare.) Smaller Britannia, readily distinguished by the trident prongs ending below the lettering.

Also, Large Date (normal) and Small Date (rarer) occur on the obverse for currency in 1830. (Large Date for 1828 only occurs as a Bronzed Proof.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price
	1843	Near VF	£2.50
	--	VF	£3.00
	--	VF/GVF	£3.50
	--	GEF, toned patch on reverse.	£3.50
	--	Near EF	£5.50
	1844	GF	£1.00
	--	Almost VF	£2.25
	--	VF	£2.50
	--	GVF	£3.50
	--	Unc lustre traces	£10.00
	--	Unc lustre	£12.00
	1851	5 over a higher 5 in the date. Unc good lustre. Rare. (See photo for close-up of this variety.) (Recorded by Spink as 5 over 0 and priced at £185 in Unc)	Sold
	1868	Cupro-nickel Proof. BMC 1604. Small carbon spot affecting the reverse rim at 11pm, otherwise about FDC. Excessively rare.	Sold