Farthing (Irish coin)

Farthing / Feoirling

Republic of Ireland
Value	¼ penny
Mass	2.83 g
Diameter	20.2 mm
Thickness	1.52 mm
Edge	Plain
Composition	Bronze
Years of minting	1928–1966
Catalog number	—
Obverse
Design	Irish harp
Design date	1928
Reverse
Design	Woodcock
Designer	Percy Metcalfe
Design date	1928

The farthing (¼d) (Irish: feoirling) was the lowest value coin of the pre-decimal Irish pound, worth a quarter of a penny, 1/48 of a shilling or 1/960 of a pound. The coin had lost much of its value through inflation long before decimalisation in 1971, and during the 1960s no farthings were produced for general circulation; those minted in 1966 were produced for collectors' sets.

The coin measured 0.795 inches (20.2 mm) in diameter and weighed 2.83495 grams. The bronze coin was made up of 95.5% copper, 3% tin and 1.5% zinc. It was introduced in 1928 to replace the British farthing and ceased to be legal tender on 1 August 1969. As the Irish pound was pegged to the British pound until 1979, the Irish farthing had the same dimensions and weight as the British version.

The reverse design featuring a woodcock was by English artist Percy Metcalfe. The obverse featured the Irish harp. From 1928 to 1937 the date was split either side of the harp with the name saorstát éireann circling around. From 1938 to 1966 the inscription changed to éire on the left of the harp and the date on the right.

Ireland was one of only four nations (including Britain, South Africa and Jamaica) to issue farthing coins in the 20th century.

Irish farthings, like all non-current Irish coins, may be redeemed for euro at the Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin each weekday morning. Due to its slight value (about one six-hundredth of a euro), several must be redeemed to have any return at all.

See also

• St Patrick halfpenny
• £sd

External links

• Coinage Act, 1926
• Coinage (Dimensions and Designs) Order, 1928
• Coinage (Calling In) Order, 1969
• Irish coinage website - catalogue - farthings