What are former British coins?

Answer 1

The best known low value coin is the "Farthing" (fourthing), one quarter of penny.

Great Britain also produced "Half-Farthings", "Third-Farthings" and "Quarter-Farthings", mostly for circulation in the Colonies.

The Quarter-Farthing was only ever minted during the reign of Queen Victoria and then only for the colony of Ceylon. It was the smallest denomination ever minted by the Royal Mint.

The Half-Farthing British coin was produced in various years between 1828 and 1856 (although proof coins were anomalously produced in 1868). The coin was initially produced in 1828 for use in Ceylon, and again in 1830.

The Third-Farthing was produced in various years between 1827 and 1913.

The coin was produced in 1827 exclusively for use in Malta, but it is considered to be part of the British coinage as at that time Malta was considered more as a part of Britain than in the twentieth century.

Answer 2

British decimal currency - the One Penny coin. Previously it was the Halfpenny coin until it was withdrawn and demonetised in 1984.

British pre-decimal coins - the Half-Farthing, which was 1/8 of an old Penny. Also, the Quarter-Farthing and Third-Farthing both of which were only selectively minted for foreign parts of the Empire.

Since 1984, the 1 Penny coin has the distinction of being the lowest value British coin.

Answer 3

Circulating predecimal British Coins would include -

Quarter Farthing, Half Farthing, Farthing, Halfpenny, Penny, Threehalfpence, Twopence, Threepence, Groat (Fourpence), Sixpence, Shilling, Florin (Two Shillings), Halfcrown (Two Shillings and Sixpence), Double Florin (Four Shillings), Crown (Five Shillings), Half-Sovereign (Ten Shillings), Sovereign (One Pound), Double-Sovereign (Two Pounds), Five Pounds, Quarter-Guinea, Half-Guinea, Guinea, Two Guineas, Five Guineas.

Answer 4

If you refer to British predecimal coins, the following is a list dating back to the beginning of Queen Victorias coinage in 1838.

Gold

Five Pound (Quintuple-Sovereign)

Two Pound (Double-Sovereign)

Sovereign

Half-Sovereign

Silver, or cupro-nickel after 1946

Crown (Five Shillings)

Double Florin (Four Shillings)

Halfcrown (Two Shillings and Sixpence)

Florin (Two Shillings)

Shilling

Sixpence

Groat (Fourpence)

Threepence (brass from 1937)

Twopence

Three-Halfpence

Copper, or bronze from 1860

Penny

Halfpenny

Farthing

Half-Farthing

Third-Farthing

Quarter-Farthing