The British 1855 Farthing, designed by William Wyon, features a young Queen Victoria on the obverse. Struck in copper, it was a small denomination aimed at easing everyday transactions. The Great Exhibition of 1851 had highlighted Britain’s industrial prowess, influencing coin design and manufacturing. The 1855 Farthing represented Britain’s continued reliance on copper as it navigated a period of economic growth and expanding global influence.
Politically, Queen Victoria reigned during a time of relative peace and prosperity in Britain, though tensions over imperial expansion were rising. The British 1855 Farthing embodied the stability of the era, with Wyons design reflecting both the monarchy’s central role and Britain’s economic reliance on copper for currency.