Great Britain Victoria 1844 1/2 Farthing NGC MS63 BN Brown Toning KM# 738 (41)

Great Britain



Victoria



COPPER 1844 1/2 Farthing



GRADED NGC MS63 BN Brown Toning



KM# 738



Obverse : First uncrowned portrait ('Young Head') of Queen Victoria facing left,
legend around



Lettering: VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F:D:



Translation: Victoria by the Grace of God Queen of the Britons Defender of the
Faith



Engraver: William Wyon



Reverse: Central crowned denomination above date with rose, thistle and shamrock
below date.

Originally struck for use in Ceylon with
only a Tudor rose below the date (see below), from 1842 they were made legal
tender in the UK and produced with the three national flower emblems below the
date. The standard weight of these pieces was 1/12 ounce avoirdupois (36.5
grains), leading to much criticism that they were far too small a denomination.
The series lasted until 1869 when the coin was demonetized, the last date issued
for circulation being 1856.