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Collectors Guide

George V Farthings

The George V farthing (1911–1936) is the smallest denomination of British bronze coinage and a popular entry point for collectors of pre-decimal coins. Featuring the distinctive wren reverse design introduced in the early 20th century, the series spans the full reign of King George V and includes multiple obverse portraits, key dates and condition rarities. This guide provides a complete reference to George V farthings, covering specifications, design details and collecting insights across the series.

Introduction

The George V Farthing was struck from 1911 to 1936 and is, on the surface, a largely straightforward series. This page provides a year-by-year reference for the George V Farthing series, including the key varieties in 1911, 1914, and 1918, the notable 1915 mule, the alloy changes of the early 1920s, and the Modified Head issues of the mid-1920s.


Farthings were artificially darkened until 1918 to avoid confusion with the halfpenny, giving the early issues a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from the later, brighter coins. The alloy changes of the early 1920s are better documented for the farthing than for any other bronze denomination β€” the colour differences between pieces can be striking and are an important collecting consideration.

  • 1911 – Two obverse types (Hollow Neck and Flat Neck), as across the bronze denominations.
  • 1914 – A mid-year obverse change creates two varieties.
  • 1915 – The 1915 Mule is the key rarity of the series, combining a 1914 obverse die with a 1915 reverse. Very few are known.
  • 1918 – Further obverse and reverse varieties recorded.
  • Early 1920s – Alloy changes produce measurable colour differences; the farthing series is the best-documented of the bronze denominations for this transition.
  • 1925–1926 – The Modified Head farthing is introduced, unlike in the other denominations, the farthing does not later receive the small head β€” the Modified Head carries through to 1936.

Coinage Details

1911–1918 β€” The early farthings share the same opening obverse types as the penny and halfpenny. The 1914 mid-year obverse change and the 1915 Mule are the primary variety interest of this period. The 1915 Mule β€” produced using a 1914 obverse die paired with a 1915 reverse β€” is the standout rarity of the entire George V farthing series.


1919–1926 β€” The alloy transition of the early 1920s (from 95% Cu / 4% Sn / 1% Zn to 95.5% Cu / 3% Sn / 1.5% Zn) is more clearly traceable in the farthing than in the halfpenny or penny, and the resulting colour variation between pieces of the same date makes the farthing particularly interesting to study. The Modified Head is introduced in 1925, a year earlier than on the halfpenny and two years earlier than on the penny.


1926–1936 β€” Unlike the other bronze denominations, the farthing does not receive the small head introduced in 1928. The Modified Head carries through to the end of the reign, making the farthing the only George V bronze denomination to retain this portrait for its full later period.

George V Farthings

1911 Farthing Flat Neck 1911 – Flat Neck
1911 Farthing Hollow Neck 1911 – Hollow Neck
1912 Farthing 1912
1913 Farthing 1913
1914 Farthing Close TT 1914 – Close TT
1914 Farthing Wide TT 1914 – Wide TT
1915 Farthing 1915
1916 Farthing 1916
1917 Farthing 1917
1918 Farthing Dark 1918 – Dark
1918 Farthing Bright 1918 – Bright
1919 Farthing 1919
1920 Farthing 1920
1921 Farthing 1921
1922 Farthing 1922
1923 Farthing 1923
1924 Farthing 1924
1925 Farthing 1925
1926 Farthing 1926
1927 Farthing 1927
1928 Farthing 1928
1929 Farthing 1929
1930 Farthing 1930
1931 Farthing 1931
1932 Farthing 1932
1933 Farthing 1933
1934 Farthing 1934
1935 Farthing 1935
1936 Farthing 1936

Specifications

Years Issued 1911–1936
Diameter 20.19 mm
Weight 2.83 g
Edge Plain
Alloy Upto 1922: 95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Zinc
From 1923: 95.5% Copper, 3% Tin, 1.5% Zinc
Obverse Designer Sir Bertram Mackennal
Reverse Designer Leonard Charles Wyon

Year-by-Year Reference

1911

In common with most of the coins of 1911, the farthing comes in Hollow Neck and Flat Neck varieties. The Flat Neck is ever so slightly scarcer.

  • β–  1911 1A+A – Hollow Neck
  • β–  1911 1B+A – Flat Neck
1911 Farthing Varieties
Reverse A Obverse 1A: Hollow Neck
1911 Farthing Reverse A (Hollow Neck) 1911 Farthing Obverse 1A Hollow Neck
Reverse A Obverse 1B: Flat Neck
1911 Farthing Reverse A (Flat Neck) 1911 Farthing Obverse 1B Flat Neck

1912

Ever noticed how the years after a Coronation are scarce in high grade?

1903, 1912, 1938, 1954

Because they weren't new any more, people didn't hoard them.

1912 Farthing
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1912 Farthing Reverse 1912 Farthing Obverse

1913

A relatively straightforward year for the farthing series, struck with the standard obverse and reverse pairing.

1913 Farthing
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1913 Farthing Reverse 1913 Farthing Obverse

1914

Part way through 1914, the obverse design was changed very slightly in order to combat ghosting. The two designs can be identified by close examination of the spacing of the TTs in BRITT. The earlier design is the Close TT type, and the later design is the Wide TT type.

Close vs Wide TT spacing

Both Freeman and Peck classify them as broadly similar in abundance, but disagree on which way around:

  • β–  1914 Obverse 1B (Close TTs) β€” Peck C, Freeman C2
  • β–  1914 Obverse 2 (Wide TTs) β€” Peck VC, Freeman C
1914 Farthing Varieties
Reverse A Obverse 1B: Close TTs
1914 Farthing Reverse A (Close TTs) 1914 Farthing Obverse 1B (Close TTs)
Reverse A Obverse 2: Wide TTs
1914 Farthing Reverse A (Wide TTs) 1914 Farthing Obverse 2 (Wide TTs)

1915

There is a very scarce type of 1915 farthing that displays the earlier Close TT obverse, almost certainly a mule.

Freeman rates it as R13, between 500 and 1000 examples extant.

The 1915 example shown here is Obverse 2, the common type.

1915 Farthing
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1915 Farthing Reverse 1915 Farthing Obverse

1916

Standard issue of Obverse 2 + Reverse A.

1916 Farthing
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1916 Farthing Reverse 1916 Farthing Obverse

1917

Issued with Obverse 2 + Reverse A, the standard type for this year.

1917 Farthing
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1917 Farthing Reverse 1917 Farthing Obverse

1918

As currency gold was withdrawn, it was no longer necessary to artificially darken farthings to avoid confusion with the Half Sovereign.

1918 farthings therefore come in both a bright bronze finish and the scarcer mint-darkened colour as found in previous years.

1918 Farthing Varieties
Reverse A (Darkened) Obverse 2 (Darkened)
1918 Farthing Reverse (Darkened) 1918 Farthing Obverse (Darkened)
Reverse A (Bright) Obverse 2 (Bright)
1918 Farthing Reverse (Bright) 1918 Farthing Obverse (Bright)

1919

Standard issue with Obverse 2 + Reverse A.

1919 Farthing
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1919 Farthing Reverse 1919 Farthing Obverse

1920

Issued with Obverse 2 + Reverse A, typical for the year.

1920 Farthing
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1920 Farthing Reverse 1920 Farthing Obverse

1921

Struck with Obverse 2 + Reverse A.

1921 Farthing
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1921 Farthing Reverse 1921 Farthing Obverse

1922

A slight change to the alloy from this year, reducing the tin content from 4% to 3%, with a corresponding increase in copper and zinc.

The new alloy produced a more golden colour and was more ductile, resulting in slower die wear.

1922 Farthing
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1922 Farthing Reverse 1922 Farthing Obverse

1923

1923 Farthing
Obverse 2 Reverse A
1923 Farthing Reverse 1923 Farthing Obverse

1924

1924 Farthing
Obverse 2 Reverse A
1924 Farthing Reverse 1924 Farthing Obverse

1925

1925 Farthing
Obverse 2 Reverse A
1925 Farthing Reverse 1925 Farthing Obverse

1926

The Modified Head is introduced for the Farthing in 1926 and continues through to 1936.

A new reverse is also introduced; compare the border beads of 1925 and 1926 to see the difference.

1926 Farthing
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1926 Farthing Reverse 1926 Farthing Obverse

1927

1927 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1927 Farthing Reverse 1927 Farthing Obverse

1928

1928 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1928 Farthing Reverse 1928 Farthing Obverse

1929

1929 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1929 Farthing Reverse 1929 Farthing Obverse

1930

1930 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1930 Farthing Reverse 1930 Farthing Obverse

1931

1931 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1931 Farthing Reverse 1931 Farthing Obverse

1932

1932 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1932 Farthing Reverse 1932 Farthing Obverse

1933

1933 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1933 Farthing Reverse 1933 Farthing Obverse

1934

1934 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1934 Farthing Reverse 1934 Farthing Obverse

1935

1935 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1935 Farthing Reverse 1935 Farthing Obverse

1936

1936 Farthing
Obverse 3 Reverse B
1936 Farthing Reverse 1936 Farthing Obverse
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