One-Third Farthing Piece at Waiotira

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1939, Page 9

One-Third Farthing Piece at Waiotira

1 The hunt for one-third farthings is on. i Last week the news of the discovery of one of these rare coins in a Christi church garden was telegraphed throughout New Zealand. At the end of the week, a Whanga- | rei resident came to light with a sim- | ilar coin, bearing the same date as the | Christchurch discovery—lß6B. Dated 1913. This morning, Mr W. J. Moore. Waiotira, telephoned the “Northern Advocate” to state that he had in his possession a one-third farthing dated 1913. He had secured it on the West Coast of the South Island 20 years ago. It is understood that coins of this denomination were in circulation in Malta prior to the war, and it is probable that the specimen in Mr Moore’s possession originated from that little island in the Mediterranean.

Malta’s Low Postage. One-third farthing postage was in vogue on the island in those days, as it is possible to walk right round the territory in a matter of hours. There is a story on record of a seaman visiting Malta who desired to post a letter to the United States. The postage rate was 3d, and he eventually sent his letter through the mail bearing 36 stamps, each to the value of one-third of a farthing.