Charles II used tin as the metal for Farthings. Why tin? and why did they insert a copper plug?
The 1684 Farthing - Charles II (Tin)Charles II Tin farthing with copper plug. The coin is dated on the edge. The reason this was made in tin rather than copper (which was used in previous years) was said to help the tin mining industry.
Making the coin in tin meant that the value of the metal was less than the face value of the coin itself. This situation often invites counterfeiters so a copper plug was created in the centre to make forgery more difficult.
The design was based on the earlier copper versions and it reminds me of a Roman coin. Top quality specimens are hard to find as tin does corrode. SCBC 3395 and there are various edge varieties. Made at the Tower Mint (Royal Mint) in London. Diameter 23mm and weighs 5.27g.
The Reverse shows Britannia sitting on a globe, facing left, holding a spear and olive branch. Her left hand rests on a shield showing a combination of the flags of St George and St Andrew. Legend is BRITANNIA.
The edge has the lettering NVMMORVM * FAMVLVS * 1684 * in raised letters. The meaning is 'servant of the coinage' suggesting the coin was a token and the metal value is less than the denomination.
The Obverse shows a laureate bust of Charles II facing left and wearing armour. Legend is CAROLVS . A . CAROLO. meaning Charles after Charles, that is Charles II, and acknowledging his father Charles I.Image credit: Museums Victoria.
Mintage: Not known
Minted at The Royal Mint
Minted in 1684. See Coins and Events of 1684
Monarch/Ruler: Charles II (1660-1685)
Category: Farthings. See more Farthings coins
and see which Farthings coins have the lowest mintage.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
List items on:
 | JOB LOT BULK BRITISH PRE-DECIMAL COINS CHOOSE DENOMINATION AND QUANTITY £ 36.99 |
 | 1KG MIXED WORLD COINS FREE POST UK UP TO 1500KG FORSALE £ 13.99 |
 | London Olympic 2012 50p Coins - Triathlon Football Judo Wrestling - FREE POSTAGE £ 149.99 |
 | Rare & Valuable UK 50p Coins Fifty Pence Circulated Beatrix Potter Olympics WWF £ 74.89 |
 | Job Lot 1kg Mixed World Foreign Coins £ 14.01 |
 | Rare 50p Coins Olympic Beatrix Potter Kew Isle of Man WWF Snowman Fifty Pence £ 40.99 |
 | COIN ALBUM for 240 coins perfect for 50p 1 COINS FOLDER BOOK COLLECTOR £ 6.75 |
 | JOB LOT, BULK , BRITISH PRE-DECIMAL COINS CHOOSE YOUR DENOMINATION & AMOUNT £ 6.45 |
List items on:
List items on:
 | 1691 William & Mary - TIN FARTHING...Peck 582 £ 198.29 |
 | 1684 TIN FARTHING CHARLES II COIN FINE DETAILS DATED EDGE S.3395 2C57 £ 195.00 |
 | 1692 William & Mary - TIN FARTHING...Peck 584 £ 260.69 |
 | 1691 William & Mary - TIN FARTHING £ 229.49 |
 | 1684-1687 Tin Farthing - James II SCARCE*C-492 £ 55.00 |
 | X544: 1684/5 Charles II **TIN** Farthing with Edge Inscription. S.R.3395 £ 239.00 |
 | 1689 Farthing - Tin - William And Mary - Fair - Very Rare £ 167.10 |
 | Vintage 1936 Farthing In Tin Mount Horseshoe Good Luck Token Fenners Fashions £ 40.00 |
List items on: