1901 AD., Great Britain, Victoria, Royal Mint, London, Farthing, Spink 3964.

Great Britain, Victoria (1837-1901), Royal Mint, London, engraver: Thomas Brock (obverse), 1901 AD.,
Farthing (ø 20 mm / 2,89 g), 2,827 g theor. mint weight, bronze (.950 Copper, .040 Tin, .010 Zinc), mintage: 8.016.000 , medal alignment ↑↑ , plain edge, scratch on rev,
Obv.: VICTORIA·DEI·GRA·BRITT·REGINA·FID·DEF· - IND·IMP· / T.B. , (Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of Britains, Defender of the Faith, empress of India) , old crowned bust of the Queen facing left wearing veil over back of crown, ribbon and star of the Garter, pearl necklet and pendant; legends around; in field below bust the artist's initials, T.B. (Thomas Brock); formerly blackened finish, Victoria type variation of 1897-1901, 3rd portrait, blackened finish.
Rev.: FAR-TH-ING / 1901 , Britannia seated facing right on a rock wearing a helmet and flowing robes; she holds a trident and rests her right hand on a shield which bears the combined crosses of the Union Flag; denomination above, date in exergue.
Spink 3964 ; Peck 1966 ; Freeman 579 ; KM 788.2 (normally blackened finish) . rarity: normal
dark surface

Year / Mintage / other Details
1895 ? KM#788.1
1896 3,669,000 KM#788.1
1896 ? KM#788.1 Proof
1897 4.580.000 KM#788.1
1897 ? KM#788.2 (blackened finish)
1898 4.010.000 KM#788.2 (blackened finish)
1899 3,865,000 KM#788.2 (blackened finish)
1900 5,969,000 KM#788.2 (blackened finish)
1901 8,016,000 KM#788.2 (blackened finish)

Her later Farthings were chemically darkened, to avoid confusion with half sovereigns, these were very similar in size. The blackened finish was introduced in 1897 on coins of Victoria and maintained on all the farthings of Edward VII.