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Threepence (Australian coin)

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

The Australian threepence (pron. "thruppence"), 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 After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the coin was equivalent to ⁠2+1/2⁠c, but was rapidly withdrawn from circulation.

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 1942–1944 contain a small capital S on the reverse, while coins produced at the Denver mint from 1942–1943 have a small capital D on the reverse.

Types

Image Years Technical parameters Description / Legend / Designer
Obverse Reverse From To Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
1910 1910 16 mm 1.41 g 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper Plain 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
1911 1936 George V
GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP:
by Bertram Mackennal
1938 1944 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)
1947 1948 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc
1949 1952 George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF.
by Thomas Hugh Paget
1953 1954 Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA
by Mary Gillick
1955 1964 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

  • D : Denver
  • M : Melbourne
  • PL : London
  • S : San Francisco

See also

References

  • Bruce, Colin R.; Thomas Michael (2005). 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins (1901–present). KP Books. p. 68. ISBN 0-87349-987-5.
  • Cruzis Coins : Australian silver threepence
Preceded by Threepence
1910–1966 		Succeeded by
Denomination Abolished
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