Identifying 1671 Farthing Pattern

[Ornulf]

I recently found this among a bunch of low-quality farthings. Not having access to pictures of a 1671 farthing, I wonder wether the readers of this forum can lend assistance?

 

 

[constanius]

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/brit/charles_II/i.html

 

All images & text courtesy of Wildwinds, a great site for collectors.

 

6th one down

 

Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005

Lot 2212Great Britain. Pattern copper Farthing, 1671. Charles II.

P-436. Listed by Peck among the "official farthings," and in fact

this is the pattern design most often seen, in silver, from this

reign. Lower grade silver coins are easily found in England, VF and

AEF pieces, but nicer silver ones are seldom found and must be

considered very rare in choice condition. However, copper specimens

are elusive, particularly this well preserved. Milk chocolate in

color, with remnants of luster adhering among the letters, the

surfaces emitting a lovely, glossy brown glow. Only tiny marks may

be seen. There are some usual, light die-flaws but these are

nothing. The king's portrait is especially appealing and well

engraved. This beautiful coin is one of the Cheshire Collector's

favorites, and we quote his comments and research here: "This great

rarity was produced before the beginning of the regular production

of farthings in 1672. Farthings were not made available to the

public until a week after the proclamation of 16 August 1672 and

Peck concludes that we should regard this 1671 farthing as 'the

final prototype of the current farthing, struck in anticipation of

the proclamation'. Listed by Peck as 'very scarce' the piece is now

seldom seen in any grade." NGC graded MS-63 Brown.

Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.

Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.

Realized $1,400

[YeOldeCollector]

I wonder how a pattern could become so worn.

 

Perhaps it is a 1674? It's hard to tell from these images.

 

[Ornulf]

Thank you both. I guess there is difficult to be sure. 1674 is definitively possible. To be this worn, it would have to have leaked into circulation for some reason.

 

Regards

Ornulf

[YeOldeCollector]

In my opinion the images you provide make it look much more like a 4 than a 1.