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The One Third Farthing

 


The Third Farthing

The first of the fractional farthings to be issued was the third farthing, which throughout the period of issue from 1827 to 1913 was minted solely for use in Malta. The island used British coins, but the Grano, dating from before British rule, was valued at a twelfth of a penny. As a result, the decision was made to coin the equivalent in a British denomination.

The Copper Third Farthing

The design of the copper half farthings for George IV, William IV, and Victoria shows a standard portrait on the obverse, while the reverse shows Britannia facing right seated with a shield and trident.

They weigh about 1.57g and have a diameter of 16mm.

The 1844 copper third farthing of Victoria comes in two varieties. A few rare versions have RE rather than REG on the reverse.

The Bronze Third Farthing

In common with the other larger denominations, a switch to bronze was made in 1860. The reverse design was changed to show the inscription ONE THIRD FARTHING with the date below, surrounded by a laurel wreath with crown above.

The obverse has a portrait of the Queen quite unlike that on any other UK coin.

These small coins weigh about 0.9g and have a diameter of 15mm and are thus the lightest bronze coins in the British series.

None of the bronze coins are scarce, and those issued by Edward VII in 1902 and George V in 1913 used to be reasonably often found in mint state.







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