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From Cut Coins to Farthings: The Fascinating Story of Hammered Coinage
Have you ever wondered where the word “farthing” comes from?
It’s one of those curious names in British coinage history that hides a story nearly a thousand years old. To understand it, we need to travel back to the medieval world of hammered coinage – where coins weren’t struck by machine, but by hand.
The Age of the Hammered Penny
For centuries, the silver penny was the backbone of English currency. First introduced under Anglo-Saxon kings in the 8th century, it remained the standard unit of trade for generations. But unlike today, there were no smaller coins to make everyday transactions easy.
If you needed change for a penny, you couldn’t ask for a halfpenny or farthing – those didn’t exist yet. Instead, people did something ingenious: they cut the penny.
Cutting Coins into Halves and Quarters
Medieval pennies were relatively large, thin discs of silver. Their uniform size and weight made it practical to cut them cleanly with a knife or shears.
- A halfpenny was literally half a penny, sliced neatly down the middle.
- A farthing – from the Old English word feorðing, meaning “fourthing” – was a quarter of a penny.
This practice became so widespread that the crown eventually recognised the need for official smaller denominations. By the 13th century, halfpennies and farthings were minted in their own right, but their names still told the tale of their origins.
From Hammered Silver to Pre-decimal Coinage
The hammered coinage tradition lasted in Britain until the 17th century, when machine-struck coins gradually replaced hand-struck pieces. But the influence of those medieval cut coins lived on in the denominations of pre-decimal currency.
Right up until decimalisation in 1971, the penny, halfpenny, and farthing formed the bedrock of everyday money – each one a direct descendant of those early sliced pennies.
A Thousand Years of History in Your Hands
It’s rare to find a story told so perfectly through coins themselves – but now you can. The First and Last of Pre-decimal Coinage Set brings together six remarkable coins that chart this journey from medieval England to modern times:
- The final Penny, Halfpenny, and Farthing issued before decimalisation in 1971.
- Three original hammered silver coins: a Penny, a Halfpenny, and the quartered Penny we came to call the Farthing.
These hand-crafted medieval coins are believed to be among the very first examples of their kind. Imagine holding a silver farthing that was once part of a whole penny – cut and used in trade nearly a thousand years ago.
This set is more than a collection; it’s a time capsule of Britain’s monetary story, uniting the first and last issues of our pre-decimal coins.
Because of their rarity and age, just 50 sets have been curated.
👉 Click here to secure yours today with a £25 deposit (+p&p).
A collection like nothing you’ve ever seen…
As any collector knows, coins tell the story of our history. But sometimes, they only give a small insight. That’s why it’s been so important for us to find a collection that shows the whole picture.
And today, we have something unlike anything ever offered to Westminster collectors.
A collection comprised not only of historic coins, but also a real bullet, a patriotic token and a 150-year-old newspaper…
It is the set that finally shows the whole picture – and that picture is of the American Civil War.
America, 1861
After decades of conflict between the modernised northern states and the rural southern states of America, Abraham Lincoln’s accession to presidency hoped to end the slavery which fuelled the divide.
This ironically instigated the opposite effect, as eleven American nations formed an opposing government: the Confederate States of America.
So in April 1861, both ‘Americas’ went to war. This ended in 1865 and became the costliest and bloodiest war ever fought on American soil.
And here’s how you can preserve its history…
The Ultimate American Civil War Commemorative Collection
After searching for a whole year, we have finally been able to source a collection of the most collectable artefacts from the American Civil War.
This set is your rare chance to secure a genuine piece of history, which includes:
- 1861-1865 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- 1825-1869 Mexican 1 Reale
- A REAL BULLET taken straight from the battlegrounds of the American Civil War
- An original newspaper printed at the time of the American Civil War
- An ‘Army and Navy’ Patriotic Token
JUST 20 AVAILABLE
This is an opportunity that doesn’t come around often, especially when you consider that we only have 20 sets…
So, don’t miss out on this incredibly rare opportunity! Click here to secure yours now >>
Celebrating 90 Years of MONOPOLY – A Collector’s 50p Treasure
Few board games can claim the same cultural impact as MONOPOLY. Since its UK debut in 1935, introduced by Waddingtons of Leeds, the game has stood the test of time as both a family favourite and a symbol of playful competition. From its classic London-themed board to countless special editions showcasing cities, landmarks and cultural icons, MONOPOLY has reached over 275 million homes worldwide.
Now, as the game celebrates its 90th anniversary, collectors have the chance to mark the occasion with something truly special – the 2025 MONOPOLY UK 50p Coin from The Royal Mint.
💡 Did You Know?
More than one billion people are estimated to have played MONOPOLY since its creation — making it one of the most popular board games ever invented.
The Design – A Tribute to a Global Icon
Created by product designer Bella Biggs, the coin’s reverse offers a visual journey through MONOPOLY’s legacy. Collectors will immediately notice the finely struck details:
- Player tokens such as the top hat and Scottie dog, engraved with crisp definition
- Property cards and the MONOPOLY logo, symbols of the highs and lows of the game
- Mr. Monopoly himself, front and centre – the character who has guided players through fortunes made and lost for nine decades
💡 Did You Know?
MONOPOLY has been published in over 100 countries and translated into 37 languages.
Why Collectors Will Value This Release
For serious collectors, a coin’s appeal lies not only in its theme but in its scarcity, finish and place within numismatic history. The MONOPOLY 2025 50p ticks all of those boxes:
- Certified Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) version – struck to a superior finish, protected from everyday wear, and available at an accessible entry point from £9.99
- Limited Edition Silver Proof – beautifully crafted with exceptional detail, presented to showcase its artistry. With only 4,500 pieces worldwide, this edition is certain to be highly prized in years to come
A Chance to Own a Piece of Gaming History
MONOPOLY has never been just a game. It’s a shared experience – the thrill of building an empire, the sting of rent owed, and the laughter of family rivalry. This coin encapsulates that spirit in a form designed to endure for generations.
With the Silver Proof edition strictly limited to just 4,500 coins worldwide, collectors should act quickly to avoid disappointment. Demand is expected to outstrip supply, making this an issue where hesitation could mean missing out.
💡 Did You Know?
The longest game of MONOPOLY ever recorded lasted an incredible 70 days!
Secure Your MONOPOLY 90th Anniversary Coin
As with the best opportunities in MONOPOLY itself, timing is everything. Don’t miss your chance to pass GO and add this celebratory release to your collection.
➡️ Explore the MONOPOLY 2025 UK 50p Coin Range and secure yours today
