The British 1898 Farthing, a bronze coin featuring Queen Victorias veiled bust, was designed by Sir Thomas Brock, reflecting the eras somber imperial dignity. Introduced during the waning years of the Victorian era, the coin symbolizes stability amid global empire. Britains economic strength was tied to industrial output, and bronze—a mix of copper, tin, and zinc—was both durable and cost-effective, matching the empires utilitarian needs.
The British 1898 Farthing emerged as Britain grappled with political tension in South Africa, foreshadowing the Second Boer War. This unrest underscored imperial challenges, subtly mirrored in the coin’s austere design. Sir Thomas Brocks portrait marked Queen Victoria’s aging reign, tying the farthing’s image to declining colonial certainties.