Harrington farthing

English coin

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The Harrington farthing was a copper token used in 17th-century England, valued at one farthing. These tokens were issued under a patent granted by James I to John, 1st Baron Harington of Exton.1

Copper coins, including these "Harrington" farthings, first appeared under James I and Charles I. Following the English Civil War, numerous municipalities and private traders produced copper tokens, primarily of farthing value.2

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Gold coinage
…English copper coins, the “Harrington” farthings, which were struck under contract. From 1649, copper tokens, mainly of farthing value, were produced in large numbers by many municipalities and private traders. The coinage of the Commonwealth (1649–60) is remarkable for the simplicity of its types, and this is the only…
Read More
…English copper coins, the “Harrington” farthings, which were struck under contract. From 1649, copper tokens, mainly of farthing value, were produced in large numbers by many municipalities and private traders. The coinage of the Commonwealth (1649–60) is remarkable for the simplicity of its types, and this is the only…
Read More