Farthing was a coin of the lowest value in British currency. It was worth one-fourth of a penny, or one-960th of a pound sterling (see Pound). The farthing was first issued in the 1220’s, during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272). It was a silver coin until 1613. The metal for a farthing was then usually copper until 1860, when the metal was changed to bronze. The British government withdrew the farthing from circulation on Jan. 1, 1961.
