Here it is, a 137 year old farthing.
Our coins is dated 1888, when Belfast’s light was shining bright. It was the year Belfast was gaining recognition as a leader in linen production, just one of the reasons Queen Victoria granted it city status in 1888.
1888 coins are harder to come by because the big year was 1887, the Golden Jubilee year for Queen Victoria.
- Farthing coins were worth a quarter of a penny, a quarter farthing, a fourthing hence a farthing.
- The first silver farthing was introduced in 1279.
- The reverse side of the farthing featured an image of Britannia until 1937 when it was replaced with a wren.
- The young Queen Victoria image on the front was changed to an image of the older Queen in 1895.
- The farthing ceased to be legal tender in 1961.
