George III Farthing

Obverse of 1806 Farthing

Reverse of 1806 Farthing

1806 George III Farthing
The copper Farthing was introduced during the Reign of Charles II (1660-1684) to supply demand for legal-tender small change. In spite of this, the Royal Mint was often reluctant to strike these coins because they were difficult to strike profitably.
By the time George III came to the throne in 1760, the Royal Mint's equipment was becoming decrepit and they become even more reluctant to mint low-value coins with their outdated and ill-used machinery. Between 1775 and 1799, no regal farthings were minted at all, despite an increasing need for coinage to pay workers wages due the industrial revolution taking place at the time. In the face of government indifference and Royal Mint incompetance, merchants and other 'entrepreneurs' resorted to supplying the need for small change with forgeries and unofficial tokens, which by the 1790s, outnumbered the regal issues then in circulation by a considerable margin.

The Farthing of 1806 was not struck by the Royal Mint, but under contract by Matthew Boulton at the Soho Mint in Birmingham. This was a follow up to the 1799 issue, which was also machine struck by Matthew Boulton.

Obverse
Draped and laureate bust of George III facing right.
GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA REX

Reverse:
The reverse features Britannia, seated left, holding a branch and trident, holding out olive branch.
The legend reads:-
BRITANNIA 1806

Availability and Prices

Date	Grade	Available	Price £	Price $
1806	Ask	AVF/GVF	£75	$Ask

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