My smallest world coin- 1843, 1 1/2 Pence. Comments?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by SensibleSal66, Feb 16, 2026 at 1:27 AM.

  1. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I received this coin from a friend. It's 1843 1 1/4 pence. Comments welcome. Just sharing. What's your smallest North American coin? So far, this is mine. :D
    Canada1.jpg Canda2.jpg
     
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Neat. That is not a North American coin. They are cataloged under Great Britain.

    These were struck by the British for use in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

    The type is Numista-13826.
     
  4. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    I recently posted the same coin from my collection.. it is Great Britain o_O

    4658905-003 Obv.JPG
     
  5. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    My smallest North American is this .....
    Good ole days when Quarters were golden:shifty: lf (16) (1).jpg lf (17) (1).jpg
     
  6. Tall Paul

    Tall Paul Supporter! Supporter

    I really like the California Pioneer Fractional Coins. The one below is BG 106, MS-62, R-4. I now have 20 of these, almost all of which are period one (1852-1856). One of the wisest numismatic book purchases I've ever made was finding a copy of the Breen and Gillio book. It cost me $225 but it was definitely worth the price. I just wonder how they were used in commerce as they are so small. I cannot picture a miner with scarred hands being able to count these out for a purchase.
    upload_2026-2-16_15-40-12.png


    upload_2026-2-16_15-40-51.png

    This one is BG 430, AU-58, R-5.
    upload_2026-2-16_15-41-44.png

    upload_2026-2-16_15-42-19.png
     
  7. TheGame

    TheGame Well-Known Member

    The three halfpence was also used quite a bit in the British Caribbean, to be fair. But yes, it's generally considered an issue of the UK proper.

    My 1834:

    obv_20211204_0001.png rev_20211204_0001.png

    Here's a Panama pill, which is a little smaller at 10mm:

    obv_20180716_0001.png rev_20180716_0001.png
     
  8. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    I got the smallest ever made....

    Etruria/ Unknown City State
    AV Ass ND/ NM 4th. century BC 6e026778060884029f2357e5a94e0070 (10).jpg

    .02g. 2.4mm.

    There are 2 known, one found in 1743, other 19th century

    Legend has it, that relatives stuck these in a dead person mouth before burial.
     
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  9. Eric the Red

    Eric the Red Exploring the World of Coins Supporter

    Here are my smallest coins
    20250319_213329.jpg
     
  10. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

  11. PaddyB

    PaddyB Eccentric enthusiast

    This is the smallest I have - Mysore Fanam from about 1760. Measures 6mm across:
    Mysore Fanam 1761 1-side.JPG
     
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  12. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Those Mysore Haidar Ali elephant fanams are FAKE. Only true elephant fanams are from Western Gangas, western-gangas-anonymous-ca-11th-13th-6026977-XL.jpg
     
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  13. PaddyB

    PaddyB Eccentric enthusiast

    Thank you @panzerman - I had not heard that before.
    I did some searching on Numista and turned up this one: https://en.numista.com/428100
    which is Mysore Haidar Ali, and although different from mine seems to be genuine?
    Anyway, I also have this one, which I believe is Maratha Confederacy of a simi;lar size. Don't tell me this is fake too? :(

    India Maratha Conf Fanam 1-side.JPG
     
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  14. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Sadly, many auction houses do not know and have these "FAKES".
    The Maratha/ Tanjore looks OK.
    Here are some types for comparision... 58166674_1.jpg
     
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