What does everyone think about the British Farthings? Would appreciate any and all opinions/comments. Thanks- Bill
Ah farthings my father's old favourite. I like them myself but i've never actively collected them. Any particular farthings you are interested in? The hammered silver, the hammered copper, the early milled copper, the Soho copper types, the modern Britannia farthings or the Wren farthings?
wow-that was fast. I personally like all of them. But I'd have to say, if I had to chose one type, it would be the hammered silver.
I am known for really quick responses on the initial posting. But i did miss out the tin farthings! (Which is the one i liked). Silver farthings are quaint little things, little being the operative word. You could call them cute. But they are more expensive than the larger silver pennies generally because alot of them got lost!
I think the Wren farthings in BUnc are absolutely stunning coins. The translucent colouration you can get from the cartwheel type lustre can be truly amazing. It's one of my favourite ever reverse designs. In lower grades however, the coins can be somewhat (pardon the pun) `lack lustre'. Ian
I don't mind the wrens but i prefer a cross and pellets myself. Britannia is always good, especially the late milled copper types George IV-Victoria and the Vicky Bun head stuff with the small shield. Still looks like she's sat in a wheelchair to me though!
I like the copper farthings too. I wonder just how many people actually actively collect farthings. Not all that many I bet. It's a very interesting series of coins all in all, and (at least from the copper ones onwards) they are fairly readily available in nice collectable grades VF and higher for next to nothing. I'm surprised at how cheap the Geo III farthings and later still are.
I must admit out of all the predecimal bronze/copper coins available i think farthings would be my fave. You know what i was like with the sixpences, well farthings are close.
Ok-so I know that you can find magnificent condition farthings for pretty low prices. I like them all-shouldn't have said silver, I like them all the same. However-I just don't know what prices to be looking for on different coins. which are you favorites, least favorites, price range for them. I know that's probably a lot of info to give. I am looking into buying some Krause catalogs. Thanks- Bill
Try looking at the farthings pages on Tony Clayton's web site. It's the best starting point I can think of. You'll find fairly good data concerning the coins along with price guides etcetera there. Check it out and see. http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/coins.html Ian
Lol! I'm the classic magpie. I've had to wean myself off the concept of trying to be a coin `generalist' basically because I simply can't collect everything. God knows I tried for long enough. I'm still (like the reformed alcoholic) sometimes tempted though.
