Design types are detailed below, once you have identified and noted the relevant “design type” select a date to view specific variety images, die combinations and minor varieties
1953 1954 1955 1956
Elizabeth II Farthing & Reign Details |
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Born : 21 April 1926 Coronation: 2 June 1953 Reign : Ongoing Farthing Diameter: 20mm Farthing Thickness: 1.5 – 1.75mm Farthing Weight: 2.75 – 2.9g Farthing Edge: Plain |
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Obverse Design 1 (1953 Only) |
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Elizabeth’s bust facing right, wearing a wreath containing 6 berries and 11 leaves, which is tied behind the head with a ribbon, the ends of which trail loosely behind. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, generally faint, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust above the “BR” of BRITT. The legend which reads “ELIZABETH II DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REGINA F: D:” completely encircles the bust, and is preceded by a single plain cross which points directly to a border bead. The legend is an abbreviated translation of “Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith” The border consists of circular beads, and the beads sit inside a small raised rim. |
Obverse Design 2 (1953 Only) |
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Reworked design as Obverse 1 with Elizabeth’s bust facing right, wearing a wreath containing 6 berries and 11 leaves, which is tied behind the head with a ribbon, the ends of which trail loosely behind. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust above the “BR” of BRITT. The legend which reads “ELIZABETH II DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REGINA F: D:” completely encircles the bust, and is preceded by a single plain cross which points directly to the gap between two border beads. The legend is an abbreviated translation of “Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith” The border consists of circular beads, and the beads sit inside a small raised rim. |
Obverse Design 3 (1954 – 1956) |
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Similar to Obverse 2, with Elizabeth’s bust facing right, wearing a wreath containing 6 berries and 11 leaves, which is tied behind the head with a ribbon, the ends of which trail loosely behind. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust above the “G” of GRATIA. The amended legend which reads “ELIZABETH. II. DEI. GRATIA. REGINA. F: D:” completely encircles the bust, and is preceded by a single plain cross which points to the right side of a border bead. The legend is an abbreviated translation of “Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith” The border consists of circular beads, and the beads sit inside a small raised rim. |
Reverse Design A (1953 Only) |
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Struck from the remaining George VI reverse dies, with a wren facing left, the denomination “FARTHING” below, and the date in numerals above. Behind the wren’s left foot is the engravers monogram “HWP”. The border is toothed, and the teeth sit inside a small raised rim. The “I” in FARTHING points directly to a gap between two border teeth. |
Reverse Design B (1953 Only) |
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Similar to the Reverse A, with a wren facing left, the denomination “FARTHING” below in a slightly different font, and the date in numerals above. Behind the wren’s left foot is the engravers monogram “HWP”. The border is toothed, and the teeth sit inside a small raised rim. The “I” in FARTHING points directly to a border tooth. |
Reverse Design C (1954 Only) |
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Similar to reverse B, with a wren facing left, the denomination “FARTHING” below, and the date in numerals above. Behind the wren’s left foot is the engravers monogram “HWP”. The border consists of longer teeth, and the teeth sit inside a thicker raised rim. The “I” in FARTHING points to the right side of a border tooth. |
Reverse Design D (1955 – 1956) |
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Similar to reverse C, with a wren facing left, the denomination “FARTHING” below, and the date in numerals above. Behind the wren’s left foot is the engravers monogram “HWP”. The border consists of longer teeth, and the teeth sit inside a thinner raised rim. The “I” in FARTHING points to the right side of a border tooth. |