Threepence (Australian coin)

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Reverse and obverse of threepence coin of 1958 (approximately actual size) Australian 1958 threepence.jpg
Reverse and obverse of threepence coin of 1958 (approximately actual size)
A 1942 Australian threepence (reverse) minted in San Francisco Threepence.jpg
A 1942 Australian threepence (reverse) minted in San Francisco

The Australian threepence (pron. "thrippence"), commonly referred to as the "threepenny bit", is a small silver coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It was minted from 1910 until 1964, excluding 1913, 1929–1933 inclusive, 1937, 1945 and 1946. After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the coin was equivalent to 2+1/2c, but was rapidly withdrawn from circulation.

Contents

During World War II, threepence production was supplemented by coinage produced by the United States Mint at the San Francisco and Denver mints. Coins minted at the San Francisco mint from 1942 to 1944 contain a small capital S on the reverse, while coins produced at the Denver mint from 1942 to 1943 have a small capital D on the reverse.

Types

ImageYearsTechnical parametersDescription / Legend / Designer
ObverseReverseFromToDiameterThicknessMassCompositionEdgeObverseReverse
1910191016 mm1.41 g92.5% silver, 7.5% copperPlain Edward VII
EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:
by George William de Saulles
Coat of arms of Australia
THREEPENCE
by W.H.J. Blakemore
19111936 George V
GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP:
by Bertram Mackennal
19381944 George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP.
by Thomas Hugh Paget
3 stalks of grain
AUSTRALIA THREE PENCE
by George Kruger Gray (K G under ribbon)
1947194850% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc
19491952 George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF.
by Thomas Hugh Paget
19531954 Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA
by Mary Gillick
19551964 Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D:
by Mary Gillick
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Mintmarks

See also

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References

Preceded by Threepence
1910–1966
Succeeded by
Denomination Abolished