Glossary of Numismatic Terms starting with F

The Farthing was a small British coin that was worth one-quarter of an old penny - 1/960th of a Pound. Farthings were minted as early as the 13th century under the reign of Edward I, although they may have been minted earlier under Henry III. It was last minted in 1956.  There are also half-, third- and quarter-farthings.

See Fidei Defensor.

A coin that is a perfect specimen.

Money issued by a government but not backed by a physical commodity (e.g. gold or silver), just by the government that issued it.

Means 'Defender of the Faith'. The British Monarch is also head (Supreme Governor) of the Church of England. In the Church hierarchy, the Monarch is above the Archbishop of Canterbury. Often abbreviated to FD.

A coin (in a collection) that is poor or well worn but is kept until a better or more expensive specimen can be obtained.

The purity as a decimal of 1.000 e.g. 90% pure is .900. The best in practice is 0.99999 fine.

The blank piece of metal before striking, also called a planchet or a blank.

The Florin is a 2 shillings coin, generally known as the "Two Bob" piece. The British florin was issued from 1849 until 1967, with a final collectors coin dated 1970. After decimalisation it became the 10p piece. See Florins section.

Often used as synonymous to counterfeit, as in fake.

Currency of France before they adopted the Euro. Subdivided into 100 centimes.