4 Pence - Victoria 1st portrait 1837-1862

Weight

1.89 g

Diameter

16 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

Silver (.925)

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Reeded (plain edge varieties exist)

Technique

Milled

Front design

Young uncrowned bust of Queen Victoria left, hair in bun, legend around

Back design

Seated figure of Britannia right, trident in left hand, shield with Union flag in right, denomination around, date in exergue.

Year of Minting

1837-1862

Queen

Victoria ( 1837-1901 )

Mint location

NA

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

Medal alignment ↑↑

Inscriptions

Obverse: VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F:D: Reverse: FOUR PENCE 1848

Context

The standard weight of this coin was 2/33 troy ounce or 29.1 grains. This piece was produced for circulation in both Great Britain and British Guiana, where it was equivalent to 1/4 guilder. The first modern fourpenny piece was struck in 1836 on the suggestion of Joseph Hume MP, saying that the piece would be useful for paying taxi drivers as the standard charge for a taxi at the the time was four pence, but riders often paid with a sixpence and let the driver keep two pence as a tip. Due to taxi drivers missing out on their tips, the coin immediately became unpopular and was seldom used. By 1862, the piece had become completely redundant and production was stopped (though more were issued in the colonies as late as 1888). KM#731.1 (1838-62) Milled edge, circulation and proof; KM#731.2 (1838-53) Plain edge, proof only.

Rarity

Common

Coin type

Standard circulation

In circulation

No

Demonetized

Yes

Marketplace listings

0