1717 proof farthing

Here is an example of a 1717 proof farthing, formerly of the Cooke Collection, the most complete collection of farthings ever assembled. A tiny quantity of these were produced, well under a hundred and probably closer to 10. The master of the Mint at the time was Sir Isaac Newton, who was, when he wasnt on his day job at the Mint, formulated Newtonian physics. Given that position, it is highly likely that he personally handled this piece.

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