This arrived for me today and I have to say that I'm really pleased with it. My photography skills are as evident as ever as it looks far better in hand than in the picture. Now I know it is worn, especially Victoria, but the colour is very pleasing and for some reason the only one I have so far unless you are counting a 1649 half groat. Not rare or expensive, just pleased to the eye and about the same size as a silver 3d.
Yes - the "Britannia" Groats are lovely coins. Made from 1835 to 1855 (bar 1850) and then once again in 1888. They were worth Four Pence and were primarily designed for use in the colonies I believe. 1852 and 1853 are the scarcest dates - I have examples of all except 1853, so if anyone has a spare.... ;-) Many new collectors confuse them with the Maundy Fourpence coins that were issued from Charles II's time and still come out now. Since the late 17th century these have had a large figure 4 on the back, so are easily distinguished from the Britannia groat. Earlier in English history, when coins were hammered, the groat was a large circulation coin. They started in Edward III's reign and the name "Groat" derived from the French "grosse" for large.
Thanks PaddyB. I still prefer my sixpences and they remain my main focus but quite happy to top off with other British coins. I have no idea why this is my first groat.
I set myself the Gargantuan task of ALL milled British coins! I have most of the sixpences back to 1693 and some spares. Feel free to PM me with your wish list and I will see if I can fill any of your gaps.
Wow. I have a lot of coins but no where near even thinking about trying for all. That must be many thousands of die types and variations. Good luck!
Mat - I was surprised how small the groat was. Being fairly used to penny and farthings in a similar design it makes a nice addition.
I have a Panama Pill and a Great Britain 1 1/2 Pence, those are really small! If you don't have a Great Britain 1 1/2 Pence, check it out. They're affordable.
Yes - I posted some of the smallest on another thread here last week - check out these for some of the smallest:
