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 After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the coin was equivalent to 2+1/2c, but was rapidly withdrawn from circulation.
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
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 1953 | 1954 | Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA by Mary Gillick |
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| 1955 | 1964 | Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick |
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| 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
- Coins from Australia / Coin Type: Threepence - Online Coin Club
- The Commonwealth threepences
- Threepence | Blue Sheet
| Preceded byThreepence (British) | Threepence 1910–1966 |
Succeeded byDenomination Abolished |
| Australian currency | |||||
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| Decimal ($1=100c) |
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| Pre-decimal (₤sd) |
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| Mints |
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