Threepence (Australian coin)

Reverse and obverse of threepence coin of 1958 (approximately actual size)

A 1942 Australian threepence (reverse) minted in San Francisco

The Australian Threepence 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 After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the coin was equivalent to 2½¢, but was rapidly withdrawn from circulation.

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

• Halfpenny (Australian)
• Penny (Australian)
• Sixpence (Australian)
• Shilling (Australian)
• Florin (Australian coin)

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

External links

• Online Coin Club / Coins from Australia / Coin Type: Threepence
• The Commonwealth threepences
• Australian threepence