James I Harrington Farthing type 2 mm trefoil on reverse

James I (1603-25), copper Harrington Farthing, type 2 (1616-21), crown over crossed sceptres, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding both sides, King's name between sceptres, IACO. D G. MAG BRIT. rev. crowned harp with eight strings, initial mark trefoil on reverse only, FRA: ET. HIB REX, weight 0.50g (Peck 54; S.2676). Toned with an old "river" patina, otherwise a pleasing very fine.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "James by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain" continuing on the reverse "France and Ireland."

The first patent for copper Farthings was awarded on 19^th May 1613 to John Harrington, Baron of Exton, a close confidant of King James I, the idea having been initially discussed in 1612. A separate Token House from the Mint was set up, but unfortunately John Harrington died on the 23^rd August 1613 age 73 whilst in Germany. The patent passed to his son John Harrington, the second Baron of Exton, who in the light of £40,000 worth of death duties and debt tried to sell it on unsuccessfully to the Duke of Lennox in December 1613. Instead he ended up selling his Lordship and estates on the 18^th February 1613/4 as he knew was dying of smallpox and was dead by the 27^th February, however it was under his tenure-ship that the type 1 pieces were issued. The type 2 pieces like we have offered here were issued under Lady Anne Harrington from June 1614, as widow of the 1^st Baron and mother of the second. She passed the patent on in 1616.

Provenance:

This coin illustrated in "Coinage and Currency in Eighteenth Century Britain, The Provincial Coinage" by David W Dykes, page 13, number 18a.