From 1806 until 1860, the British copper coinage, consisting of the penny, halfpenny and farthing (quarter penny) was struck in pure copper, and was quite large and incovenient to carry. Pure copper is also quite soft and the coins wore quickly. The copper coinage was replaced from 1860 with a smaller sized issue struck in bronze. The coin illustrated is an uncirculated farthing dated 1860. Initially the new coins were struck with a border composed of round beads, however problems with premature die breakage were encountered and it was decided later in 1860 to replace the beads with a more conventional "toothed" border. Thus the 1860 bronze coinage was issued with two distinct border treatments. The coin illustrated is of the earlier "beaded" type. It also shows prominant die cracks on the obverse, especially between A of VICTORIA and D of D:G:, also through the top of Victoria's head. Note also that British coins to this day do not display the country of issue.
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