Medieval English Hammered Farthings: Henry VII Farthing

This online guide is designed to help

Metal Detector enthusiasts
Museum Curators
Coin Dealers & Collectors

accurately identify and classify their English Hammered Farthings.

Overview:

Throughout the Tudor period, Hammered Silver Farthings are rare.

North acknowledges that there is some controversy over the existence of silver farthings from the reign of Henry VII. It has been argued that they are not farthings at all, but instead they are simply smaller examples of the established Halfpenny. Spink's firmly assigns Farthings to their own group.

Less than a dozen examples of Henry VII farthings are known. The important criterion that distinguishes the farthing from the more common halfpenny is the inner circle on the obverse, which is 8mm across on the halfpenny.

This is confirmed by Dr BJ Cook, Curator of Medieval and Early Modern Coinage, Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum who states: "It is broadly true that Henry VII farthings have an inner circle of about 6mm, compared to the larger halfpennies. Farthings of Henry VII are very rare, but their small size and weight is distinctive, so if the inner circle of the coin in question is c. 8mm, then I think it probably has to be a halfpenny."

Date: 1485-1509
Mint: London
Type: FACING BUST ISSUE

Diameter: 9mm (6mm i.d.)
Weight: 0.19g (3 grains¹)

Obverse: +hEnRIC [DI] GRΛ REX with cross fourchee.
No stops. Single arched crown, small bust.
Legend translated: Henry, King by the
Grace of God

Reverse: CIVITΛS LOnDOn
"Long Cross fourchee" (with bifurcated ends) and three pellets
in each quarter.

Reference(s):
W. WIV 1a
S.2250 (second photo)
N.1739
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£125 (Fine)
£325 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

An example of this coin (see first picture) was sold by CNG Coins for $595
(March 2001) A good/very fine example of this coin (see second picture) was sold to Colin Cooke at auction by Spink (15 March 2001: The Roger Shuttlewood Collection of Tudor Silver Coins. Sale 151, Lot 72) for £805.

Date: 1485-1509
Mint: London
Type: FACING BUST ISSUE

Diameter: 9mm (6mm i.d.)
Weight: 0.15g (3 grains¹)

Obverse: +hEn[RIC DI] GRΛx REXx with cross fourchee.
No stops. Single arched crown, small bust.
Legend translated: Henry, King by the
Grace of God

Reverse: CIVITΛS LOnDOn
"Long Cross fourchee" (with bifurcated ends) and three pellets
in each quarter.

Reference(s):
W. WIV 1b
S.2250
N.1739
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£125 (Fine)
£325 (Very Fine)

Date: 1485-1509
Mint: London
Type: FACING BUST ISSUE

Diameter: 9mm (6mm i.d.)
Weight: 0.15g (3 grains¹)

Obverse: hEnRI[C DI GRΛ RE]X Λ with cross fourchee.
No stops. Single arched crown, small bust.
Legend translated: Henry, King by the
Grace of God

Reverse: CIVITΛS LOnDOn
"Long Cross fourchee" (with bifurcated ends) and three pellets
in each quarter.

Reference(s):
W. WIV 1c
S.2250
N.1739
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£125 (Fine)
£325 (Very Fine)

¹ SEABY, BA. (ed) 1948: Notes on English Silver Coins 1066-1648 to help
collectors in their classification (London, Seaby). pp 87

Medieval English Hammered Farthings - Henry VII