Fourpence (British coin)

The pre-decimal fourpence (4d), sometimes known as a groat (from Dutch grootpennig = "big penny") or fourpenny bit, was a coin worth one sixtieth of a pound sterling, or four pence. The coin was also known as a joey after the MP Joseph Hume, who spoke in favour of its introduction.[1][2] It was a revival of the pre-Union coin.

This article is about the silver coin minted for general circulation. For the silver coin minted for Maundy Money, see Royal Maundy. For other coins called "groat", see Groat (coin).
Four old pence
United Kingdom
Value1/60 pound sterling
Mass1.9 g
Diameter16 mm
Thickness1 mm
EdgeMilled
Composition92.5% Ag
Years of minting1836–1855, 1888
Obverse
DesignProfile of the monarch (William IV design shown)
DesignerWilliam Wyon
Design date1836
Reverse
DesignBritannia
DesignerWilliam Wyon
Design date1836

Before Decimal Day in 1971 there were 240 pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), abbreviated to "three and six" in common speech. Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence, e.g. eight pence would be 8d.

History

The prospect of the introduction of a general circulation fourpence coin was raised in 1835, when the MP Joseph Hume spoke in Parliament in favour of its introduction. His reasoning was that the coin was convenient for paying cab fares.[2][3][4] The coin was first introduced in 1836, but proved unpopular with cab drivers as they now simply received a fourpence as payment, whereas previously they would often receive a sixpence without the demand for change.[5]

The coin weighed 2⁄33 troy ounce (1.9 g).[6]

The threepence was introduced in 1845 to "afford additional convenience for the purpose of change".[7] This new coin proved much more popular than the fourpence, and by the early 1850s it was decided there was no need for both coins. The final regular issue of groats was made in 1855, although proofs were minted in 1857 and 1862. In 1888 a special request was made for a colonial variety to be minted for use in British Guiana and the British West Indies. The groat remained in circulation in British Guiana until that territory adopted the decimal system in 1955.[8]

Design

The original reverse of the 1836 version of the coin, designed by William Wyon, is a seated Britannia, holding a trident, with the words FOUR PENCE to each side. Two different obverses were used during the mintage of this coin. Wyon's likeness of William IV appeared in 1836 and 1837, surrounded by the inscription GULIELMUS IIII D G BRITANNIAR REX F D.[9] Groats bearing the likeness of Victoria were issued from late 1837 onwards, also designed by Wyon, with the inscription VICTORIA D G BRITANNIAR REGINA F D. Those fourpences minted in 1888 bear the "jubilee head" of Victoria, designed by Joseph Boehm – the reverse is unchanged.[10]

There also exists a pattern coin, dated 1836, which bears the same obverse as the William IV issue coins, but has a different reverse, designed by William Wyon, which has the inscription 4p instead of the words FOUR PENCE.[5]

Mintages

References
  1. David L. Gold (2009). Studies in Etymology and Etiology: With Emphasis on Germanic, Jewish, Romance and Slavic Languages. Universidad de Alicante. p. 177. ISBN 978-84-7908-517-9.
  2. C.G. Leland (1897). A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant. Рипол Классик. p. 121. ISBN 978-5-87681-228-5.
  3. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1 January 2001). Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Wordsworth Editions. p. 613. ISBN 978-1-84022-310-1.
  4. Adrian Room (2001). Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-35873-1.
  5. Nicholas Carlisle; William Wyon (1837). A memoir of the life and works of William Wyon. W. Nichol. p. 111.
  6. Kindleberger, Charles P. (2005). A Financial History of Western Europe. Taylor & Francis. p. 60. ISBN 9780415378673.
  7. Christopher Edgar Challis (1992). A New History of the Royal Mint. Cambridge University Press. p. 487. ISBN 978-0-521-24026-0.
  8. George S. Cuhaj (29 November 2012). Standard Catalog of World Coins – 1801–1900. Krause Publications. p. 542. ISBN 978-1-4402-3085-1.
  9. "William IV coins". Coin database. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. "Victoria coins". Coin database. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
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