Price for British Copper Farthings?

Reveries

British Copper Experts!

I just got two very nice PCGS graded british copper coins. One is a 1881H Farthing in MS64 RD
and the other is a 1881 One Third Farthing in MS 64 RB. What are these coins worth?
Great luster and eye appeal. Hard to find Canadian copper this nice from 1881.
They were given to me by a friend who does not collect British coins.

many thanks in advance......

lordmarcovan

The 1881-H farthing (KM#753 type, bronze) catalogs for $70 in UNC in the 4th Edition Krause (2004). Mind you, Krause "UNC" price is for a generic Uncirculated coin, up to about MS63 quality or thereabouts. MS64 will fetch a small premium over that, the slab another modest premium, and the RD designation a bigger premium. You can check past auctions, perhaps. I would say at least $80-90 as a starting point, though.

The 1881 1/3 farthing (KM#750, bronze) goes $60 in Krause UNC (2004). Again, you might get a modest premium for an MS64 RB.

We have some enthusiasts of these little fractional farthings here- note the ones recently posted by coinpictures

wybrit

Here are some quotes from the two main British price guides.

1881H Farthing: £85 (2008 Spink), £45 (2009 Collectors' Coins GB). Both of these are for BU full lustre. I think the Spink price is a bit optimistic, as the Colin Cooke site, the undisputed king of farthing dealers, has a BUFL example for £45. Also, check out this page to identify the specific type of 1881H you have. You might have something worth a lot more (there are not many pricings for the rarer versions out there).

1881 1/3 Farthing: £20 EF £70 UNC (2008 Spink), £50 (2009 Collectors' Coins GB). I'd estimate the Spink value at £50-£60 depending how red your RB is.


Multiply the above numbers by $1.5/£ for US prices.

coinkat

The pound has strengthened again- it was quoted as 1.64 today

wybrit

The pound has strengthened again- it was quoted as 1.64 today

Hmm, I'd better buy some more coins before it's back to $2. This last 4 months have been golden for buying.

Aethelred

<< <i>The pound has strengthened again- it was quoted as 1.64 today >>



1.47 to 1 was nice while it lasted. I have a feeling the Dollar has no place to go but down.

Edited to add: While I was typing the above the old McCartney song "The Pound is Sinking" came to mind, but this time it is the once great Dollar.

wybrit

Yah, there is a supply of dollars the like of which has not been seen - even in the depression.

lordmarcovan

<< <i> the old McCartney song "The Pound is Sinking" came to mind >>



There's a song for Darksiders, if there ever was one. I love the "Tug Of War" album.





<< <i>The Pound Is Sinking
The Peso's Failing
The Lira's Reeling
And Feeling Quite Appalling
The Mark Is Holding
The Franc Is Fading
The Drachma's Very Weak
But Everyone's Still Trading

The Market's Bottom
Has Fallen Right Out
And Only The Strong Are Survivors

Well I Fear, My Dear
That It's Eminently Clear
That You Can't See The Trees
For The Forest
Your Father Was An
Extraordinary Man
But You Don't Seem To Have Inherited
Many Of His Mannerisms

Oh, Any Of His Mannerisms

The Dollar's Moving
The Rouble's Rising
The Yen Is Keeping Up
Which Hardly Seems Surprising

The Market's Bottom
Has Fallen Right Out
And Only The Strong Are Survivors

Hear Me Lover
I Can't Be Held Responsible Now

For Something That Didn't Happen
I Knew You For A Minute
Oh, It Didn't Happen
Only For A Minute
Your Heart Just Wasn't In It Anymore

The Pound Is Sinking
The Peso's Failing
The Lira's Reeling
And Feeling Quite Appalling >>


YouTube

7Jaguars

Problem for the Brits is they have a surfeit of pounds as well....May not be huge changes in rates between pound and dollar.