British and World Coins

Victoria (1837-1901), Trial Farthing, 1864, in gold/copper alloy, die no. 1, edge plain, 4.63g/12h (Cooke –; BMC 1589; S 3950). Tiny spot on obverse rim and streakiness caused by gold in the flan on reverse, otherwise extremely fine and virtually as struck, exceptionally rare; 5 specimens known to the cataloguer, three of which are in institutions
£15,000-20,000

The 1864 copper farthings were struck from an obverse punch first used on sovereigns of 1868, which would infer that the farthings too were struck in 1867 or 1868. The introduction of new obverse portraits of Victoria in lower relief, to reduce the incidence of die clashing, had been adopted for several of the silver denominations in 1867 (Sommerville, SCMB 1990, p.100). The obverse, with raised die number 1, introduced to the left of the incuse designer’s initials, is also muled with the Isle of Man farthing of the same year (Prid. 40). The five examples known are those in the British Museum, the Royal Mint Museum (two specimens), that formerly in the Brand, Norweb and ‘Douglas’ collections (4.70g/12h), which last changed hands for £16,000 in September 2009, and the present coin. Sold with letter from the Royal Mint