Ornulf Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I wonder how a pattern could become so worn. Perhaps it is a 1674? It's hard to tell from these images. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ornulf Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 In my opinion the images you provide make it look much more like a 4 than a 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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