Jardines Galleries · Inaugural Union issue · Two-year denomination
The 1923–1924 Farthing.
South Africa's shortest-lived denomination. Issued for only two years in its original form, then discontinued — no farthings were struck in 1925 — before returning later with redesigned reverses. The 1923–1924 issues are uniquely identifiable by the "¼ PENNY ¼" legend format, used only in these two years. The reverse — two Cape sparrows on a sprig of mimosa — is the only wildlife motif in the entire first Union coinage set, and the 1923 farthing was part of South Africa's inaugural Union proof set, presented in a Mappin & Webb red box that has commanded £900 at auction.
Two Cape sparrows
Sprig of mimosa · George Kruger Gray · KG initials at the stem baseThe reverse depicts two Cape sparrows standing facing each other on a sprig of mimosa with berries — the only wildlife motif in the entire first Union coinage set. Every other denomination uses heraldic, floral, or numeric devices. The sparrows belong to George Kruger Gray, the same engraver who would later design the protea reverse for the 1925 threepence.
The legend reads "SOUTH-AFRICA · DATE · ZUID-AFRIKA · ¼ PENNY ¼", with the value flanked by quarter-glyphs in a format unique to these two years.
Two years only
1923 (inaugural) · 1924 (final) · 1925 not struckThe Royal Mint Pretoria branch opened in 1923 and immediately struck a full range of Union denominations — including the farthing, identical in size and value to its British counterpart. Low purchasing power and production cost likely combined to discontinue it after just two years: no farthings were struck in 1925.
The denomination later returned — but with redesigned reverses and simplified legends. The original "¼ PENNY ¼" format is exclusive to 1923 and 1924; later issues drop the trailing fraction marker. The two-year window makes these the field's structural key dates.
Historical background
Royal Mint Pretoria · 1923 – 1941 branchWhen the Royal Mint branch opened in Pretoria in 1923, it struck a full range of denominations for the Union of South Africa, including the farthing — a quarter-penny coin identical in size and value to its British counterpart, minted to the same specifications and entering circulation under the same monetary system. (See the Pretoria Mint page for the broader history of the site.)
The denomination's low purchasing power and production cost likely combined to discontinue it after just two years in its original form. According to the authoritative Bakewell Collection notes, no farthings were struck in 1925. The farthing would later return with different reverse designs from 1926 onward — but the 1923–1924 issues remain distinct as the only ones with the "¼ PENNY ¼" legend format and the original Cape sparrows reverse.
The 1923 farthing was part of the first Union proof set, offered in a long red Mappin & Webb box. A complete 1923 proof set (Halfcrown to Farthing) sold at auction for £900 — establishing the proof-set provenance as a meaningful market premium beyond the individual-coin values.
Design details
MacKennal (obverse) · Kruger Gray (reverse)The same engraver pairing that worked on the threepence and other early Union denominations: Edgar Bertram MacKennal on the obverse (the "B.M." initials on the bust truncation), George Kruger Gray on the reverse (the "K.G." initials at the base of the mimosa stem). See the People Behind the Coins page for both engravers' broader Commonwealth work.
Crowned George V
- Crowned bust of King George V facing left, in royal mantle.
- Legend: "GEORGIVS V REX IMPERATOR".
- Designer's initials "B.M." (Bertram MacKennal) on the truncation of the bust.
Two Cape sparrows, mimosa sprig
- Two Cape sparrows standing, facing each other on a sprig of mimosa with berries.
- Legend: "SOUTH-AFRICA · DATE · ZUID-AFRIKA · ¼ PENNY ¼".
- Designer's initials "K.G." (Kruger Gray) at the base of the plant stem.
- Within a circular border — only wildlife motif in the first Union set.
Why early Union bronzes are brown
From 1923 to 1942, South African bronze coins were artificially blackened at the Mint to distinguish them from gold sovereigns in circulation. From 1942 onward, the bronze was left with its natural bright red appearance. This deliberate finishing choice explains the "BN" (Brown) and "RB" (Red Brown) colour designations seen on certified examples from the 1923–1924 farthings — a brown finish on these dates is original, not a sign of cleaning or environmental toning. Red or red-brown 1923–1924 specimens are correspondingly scarce.
Mintage & values
Auction records · Individual estimates · The high-grade premiumExact mintages for the 1923 and 1924 farthings are not in the public record. Auction appearances confirm their relative scarcity compared to later years; the 1923 farthing is particularly sought after as the inaugural issue of the Union series. Most market data comes from multi-coin lots rather than individual-coin sales, which complicates per-piece valuation but reveals consistent collector demand.
Auction records
| Sale | House | Description | Hammer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auction 152 | London Coins | 1923 farthing, "Toned UNC" — 40-coin farthing lot, many UNC examples. | £340 (lot) |
| Auction 150 | London Coins | 1923 farthing, "Toned UNC" — part of 40-coin lot. | £340 (lot) |
| Auction 183 | London Coins | 1923 GF/NVF; 1924 UNC/AU toned — 25-coin farthing lot. | £60 (lot) |
| Spink 13012 | Spink | 1923 and 1924 farthings — 25-coin lot, generally EF–UNC. | £160 (lot) |
| Auction 126 | London Coins | 1923 and 1924 farthings — 26-coin lot, many EF–UNC. | £130 (lot) |
Individual coin estimates
1923 farthing
- Fine$20 – $30
- Very Fine$40 – $60
- Extremely Fine$80 – $120
- Uncirculated$200 – $400+
1924 farthing
- Fine$15 – $25
- Very Fine$30 – $50
- Extremely Fine$60 – $100
- Uncirculated$150 – $300+
A 1923 farthing graded NGC MS 66 BN exists in the Bakewell Collection. Such a specimen — certified, top-tier brown bronze, original first-year inaugural Union issue — would likely command substantially more than the Uncirculated estimates above. Per the proof-set context, the £900 1923 set hammer also demonstrates the additional premium for original Mappin & Webb packaging.
Notes for collectors
Inaugural year · Legend distinction · Bronze toning · Provenance1923 is the type
1923 is the first year of Union coinage, making it historically significant for type collectors assembling a complete first-Union set.
Only "¼ PENNY ¼"
1923–1924 issues are the only ones with the "¼ PENNY ¼" legend. Later years use "¼ PENNY" (1926–1931) then "¼D" (1931+).
Brown is original
Early Union bronzes (1923–1942) were artificially toned brown at the Mint. This is original, not a sign of cleaning. Red or red-brown examples are scarce.
The Mappin & Webb box
A 1923 proof set with the original red box sold for £900, demonstrating the value of original packaging and proof condition beyond individual-coin estimates.
- Bakewell Collection — "South Africa Union Series Design Changes," 2012 — the authoritative reference for the 1925 non-issue and legend evolution.
- London Coins — auction archives (Auctions 126, 150, 152, 153, 183).
- Spink — Auction 13012 (Ancient, British and Foreign Coins).
- Collectors Society — "South African Union King George V Type Set."
- World of Coins — forum discussion threads.
- Edward B. Barbier — coin description references.
- Cross-references: 1925 Threepence Design Change (parallel reverse-design story), People Behind the Coins (MacKennal & Kruger Gray), Pretoria Mint (Royal Mint branch), Historical Timeline.