Farthing of Henry VIII

Ian Sharman said he unearthed this coin on 26 March. It measures only 8mm in diameter and is a farthing of Henry VIII. Ian asked for a full ID and a valuation.

Go back to 1990 and the number of known examples of Henry VIII farthings could be counted on the fingers of one hand. A number of different types were struck and today several specimens are on record.

This farthing was struck at London during the second coinage of Henry VIII. Within the inner circle on the obverse is a portcullis and on the reverse is a long cross pattee with a rose in the centre. The mint mark, on the obverse only, is an arrow. The legend on both sides is weak or flat in places but if it was visible the obverse would read RVTILANS ROSA and the reverse DEO GRA CI AS.

In the Standard Catalogue this type of farthing is listed as number 2363. A specimen sold in 2001 was described as being only the second example on record. However, today there will be at least half a dozen extant specimens.   

Valuation

Ian’s farthing has flat areas on both sides but the rest of the coin would grade Fine or better and it has been struck on a full flan. It’s extremely rare, so a likely pre-sale auction estimate would be £350 to £450.

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