[1] When Malta became a British protectorate in 1800, the local monetary standard was the Maltese scudo issued by the Knights Hospitaller in the 18th century, though foreign currencies also circulated.

[2] Although the third farthing corresponded to the British monetary standard, the coins were exclusively used in Malta and were not legal tender in the United Kingdom.

The obverse bore a portrait of George IV and the date, while the reverse depicted a seated Britannia with a shield and trident, surrounded by the legend BRITANNIAR: REX FID: DEF:.

The obverse bore a portrait of a laureate Queen Victoria, while the reverse was redesigned to include the denomination and date surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves[11] and a royal crown.

[12] In 1902, the British authorities issued £100 or 288,000 Edward VII third farthings,[13] using an obverse by George William de Saulles[14] and an updated version L. C. Wyon's crown-and-oak-wreath reverse with an imperial crown.