1773 George III Farthing 1/4d Great Britain Colonial Era Copper Coin For Sale

1773 George III Farthing 1/4d Great Britain Colonial Era Copper Coin

Struck during the reign of George III, this 1773 British Farthing circulated at a pivotal moment in world history, just two years before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.

At the time this coin entered circulation, tensions between Britain and the American colonies were escalating rapidly following the Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party. Coins like this moved through the hands of ordinary people during one of the most politically charged decades of the eighteenth century.

The obverse legend translates to “George III, by the Grace of God, King,” reflecting the monarchy’s assertion of divine authority during an era of imperial expansion and colonial unrest.

The reverse depicts Britannia seated with shield and spear, the enduring symbol of British naval and imperial power. Britannia represented stability, national identity, and control of the seas during the height of Britain’s rise as a global empire.

Eighteenth century copper farthings were workhorse coins of everyday commerce. Unlike modern coinage, they carry the weight and tactile reality of the Georgian world, handled during a period shaped by revolution, empire, and industrial transformation.

More than 250 years later, surviving George III farthings remain tangible artifacts from the final years before America’s break from Britain, making them enduring collectibles for British coin collectors, colonial historians, and enthusiasts of Revolutionary-era history alike.

Shipping & Cost Transparency:

I believe in being fully transparent about costs so you know exactly what goes into getting this coin safely to your door.

Packaging Materials: $2.49

USPS Ground Advantage (Tracked): $8.75

Insurance: $4.40 per $50 of value

Total actual shipping cost: $16.00

This ensures the coin is fully protected, tracked, and insured for its full value.

Fully insured, tracked delivery allows you to acquire a piece like this securely—without the time and expense of long-distance travel or coordinating a local pickup. From the ease of your armchair, the transaction is simple and complete, replacing what was once a far more uncertain and often more costly search.

A quick note on marketplace costs:

To keep things consistent across listings, here’s a simple rule-of-thumb breakdown:

Shipping & insurance typically run about 10% of the item’s value (fully tracked and protected).

& payment processing fees are approximately 13.25% of the total (item + shipping).

Sales tax averages around 4–5% of the total (item + shipping) depending on location.

Altogether, roughly 25–28% of the total transaction goes toward platform, processing, tax, and secure delivery - rather than the coin itself.

Why mention this?

Simply to provide clear context.

makes it possible for collectors to connect directly across distances, with protection on both sides. These costs are part of that system, and part of what allows rare items like this to move safely from one collection to another.

Bottom line: You’re getting an honestly described, carefully handled historical coin, shipped securely and fully insured, with no hidden surprises.

If you’ve read this far, then I suspect this coin genuinely speaks to you, and that matters.

In my experience, many items are priced with negotiation in mind. Offers often move back and forth before landing somewhere both parties feel good about. Rather than play that game too heavily, I’ve tried to set this piece at a level where the final outcome feels fair on both sides, taking into account condition, rarity, and the real costs involved in bringing it to market.

That said, I’m always open to reasonable offers.

If you’re considering making one:

Reasonable offers are welcome. Thoughtful offers in the ~10–15% range tend to align well here and are often accepted

My goal is simple:
A clean, respectful transaction where the coin finds a collector who values it, and neither of us walks away feeling like the other ‘lost’. I wish for a straightforward exchange of real value, clear, fair, and well placed on both sides. Simply put: a fair price, a well-matched collector, and a piece of history placed exactly where it belongs. Thank you for your consideration.

Grading is subjective, and I make an authentic effort to grade conservatively so that buyers feel they were treated fairly. Many coins on the market are optimistically graded—I aim to err on the side of accuracy. That said, please refer to the photographs and judge for yourself before purchasing. Returns are accepted only if the item is materially not as described. The coin you will receive is the exact coin shown in the photos. Please review them carefully and decide if it’s a piece you’ll truly enjoy owning.

Packed with care using protective materials appropriate for numismatic items. Ships promptly after payment, typically on the first Saturday following purchase. Tracking will be uploaded at that time. Authenticity guaranteed.

If it speaks to you, feel free to act - pieces like this tend to find their place.

I don’t tend to hold inventory long at this level.

D#49