Small Coins

Regarding Leonard Richland’s letter (Jan. 14), his memory has deceived him. The farthing was not a particularly small coin; and until it ceased to be minted in 1956, it was actually larger than a U.S. cent.

The silver threepence, last minted in 1944, was smaller than the recent half new penny; but in fact the smallest British coins are still being minted: the Maundy penny is only about 11 millimeters in diameter, the Maundy two pence about 13. These are still given out by the Queen every Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday).

KELLEY L. ROSS

Van Nuys