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Richmond Copper Farthings of Charles I Reproduction Coins IndexChard 24 Carat Home Page

Charles I Richmond Farthing Obverse
Charles I Richmond Farthing Reverse
Richmond Farthings of Charles I

Privately Struck Farthings
Copper farthings had been struck and issued privately under licence during the preceeding reign of James I. The king would grant a license or patent to an individual in return for a fee. The individual could then make considerable profits from producing and exchanging or selling the coins. This came about because there had been a serious shortage of small change for a considerable period of time. Indeed the problem had been in existence at the start of the long reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558.
The Tower Mint was busy providing coins in gold and silver, and it was an easy expedient to pocket a quick profit for franchising the right to produce coins.
Although the farthings solved the problem of small change, they were unpopular because they could often only be exchanged at a discount, which became an indirect tax on the poor. They were also easy to counterfeit, so forgeries were rife, and the issuers would change their designs to counter the forgeries and also to avoid redeeming previous issues.
The original patent had been made by James I to the Duke of Richmond, who died shortly before the accession of Charles I in 1625. The patent continued in the hands of the Duchess of Richmond and Sir Francis Crane.
In 1634 the patent passed to Lord Maltravers and Sir Francis Crane.
Our authentically produced replica is based coins of the Richmond design, and has been produced by the ancient process of hand hammering.

Obverse:
A pair of crossed sceptres passing through a crown or diadem.
CARO D G MAG BRI

Reverse:
A crown above a crude harp with a bird-like head.
The original reverse inscription, continued from the obverse, would have read:
FRA ET HIB REX
Our engraver has taken some slight liberties with the wording on this particular piece. Of course, in the time of Charles I, any person caught making copies of coins would be severely punished, by a large fine, imprisonment, mutilation, or execution. It is therefore possible that the engraver making our copy was being over cautious so that his own head avoided meeting the same fate as that of Charles!

Technical Specifications
All dimensions are approximate, and subject to tolerance.
Diameter: 16 mm
Weight: 1.6 grams
Alloy copper

Availability
Although worn original specimens can be found for a few pounds, in mint state, an original would be difficult to find even at over £50.

Price £1.25
US $1.95

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