THE COIN COLLECTOR - World eBook Library

TERMINOLOGY
exergue, which, where it exists, contains the date, place
of origin, value, &c, according to circumstances.
Farthing—(i.) The fourth part of a silver penny, first
struck under Edward I. for England, although John
had coined this denomination as Lord of Ireland. A
farthing of Henry IV., from the Highbury find, was
sold at Sotheby's, July 10, 1894, for £15, 15s. ; it was
described as unique, (ii.) A copper denomination, first
struck for Ireland under Elizabeth, under Charles I. as a
token, and under his son as a current coin. There are
several patterns of the latter reign, of which one is in the
Hunterian Museum at Glasgow. Some of the farthings
of Charles II. are of tin mixed with lead.
Ferding or maille noble — The quarter - noble of
Edward III. This is the "gold farthing" of which
we find occasional mention in earlv records.
Field—The whole central area within the legend,
saving the space reserved for the exergue; the portrait
or other type on either side occupies the field. Fr.
champ; Ital. area.
Flan—The piece or sheet of metal which received the
impression or impressions from the die. It is apparent
from extant specimens that a number of impressions
were often taken on a large sheet of metal, which was
subsequently cut up ;
and when the die was round, and
the corners undipped, the coin remained square, as we
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