Cute Little Farthing I Found!

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This was one of the first coins that caught my eye as a kid looking through all the old coins in a hand-me-down collection. When I was a kid, I thought "FARTHING" was the name of a country. I wasn't a smart kid. Then, as I grew older, I thought it was the name of the bird! Now, I'm a little smarter and I know it's a denomination. But I still have no clue about how it relates to Pence, Shilling, Pounds, etc. Here's mine. Still very pretty to look at.

 

It's 1/4 of a penny. http://projectbritain.com/moneyold.htm

 

Is that bird doo-doo under the birds behind ?

 

yes-yes

 

I believe it's the designers signed initials. But now, I can't "unsee" it. You guys sure know how to spoil my beautiful memory....

 

When I was a kid I had an Australian florin that a relative brought back from World War II, and on that coin the word "florin" is split in the design so it says flo rin. I had no idea how to read that as a kid and thought it was two words.

 

That Chickadee looks like he can really kick some butt...with that attitude and those big feet.

 

I'm going to google what a FLO RIN looks like.

 

Good thing this isn't a FART HING.

 

Lololol. I forgot to mention that that little bird in the Farthing is a Wren. Had to look that one up too.

 

Here's an example.

 

I like to call them 'four-things', because there are four of them to the penny.
Early short or long cross pennies were cut into fours or halves at the mint to act as fractions (small change). The round fourthing was introdued during the reign of Edward I.

 

For some reason, I thought Florin was the name of some sort of bird. Again! LOL.

 

I never knew that they would cut them! That's why I really like the stories behind the coins. When I visited Bali, I was surprised when the cashiers at the supermarkets gave you your change. When their smallest denomination coin won't make it, the balance is paid in sweets!

 

I remember a movie I saw on television once called "A Kid for Two Farthings".

 

None of the colonies like Australia, New Zealand or South Africa used farthings. A farthing was obviously not much money and they were not used near as much as halfpennies and pennies. The last examples minted in Britain were in 1956. During the early 19th century 1/4 and 1/2 farthings were minted for colonies like Ceylon - the half farthing was authorised for circulation in Britain in the 1840's but never really caught on.

 

The last Britain farthing

 

South Africa did issue farthings, even after the UK stopped. Interestingly, theirs also featured birds:

 

Yep, cut half and quarter silver pennies are out there, and often fairly affordable.