Upload a picture of your coin and our team of experts will evaluate the coins condition, rarity, and historical value to give you an accurate market price estimate. Regards & best wishes, Ron H-W. Ron is correct when he states thatiswasn't quite true about the use of value marks. Most 1561 issues are 21 mm in diameter, while later ones are 19 mm in diameter. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Over the length of the reign there were several different designs of obverse and reverse in use. The withdrawal of the florin, the last of the sd coins to be used daily . There is the undated issue which looks very like the earlier hammered coinage, with a crowned left-facing bust of the king with the denomination indicated by III behind his head, and the inscription CAROLVS II D G M B F & H REX, with the reverse showing a shield encircling the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and France with the legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited. The reign of Edward VIII saw the planned introduction of a new, larger, nickel-brass (79% copper, 20% zinc, 1% nickel) twelve-sided threepence coin. The reverse shows a Tudor portcullis with chains and a coronet, with the inscription THREE PENCE date. The nickel-brass threepence took over the bulk of the production of the denomination, being produced in all years between 1937 and 1952 except 1947. The three pence coin expressed in writing as "3d" first appeared in England during the fine silver coinage of King Edward VI (154753), when it formed part of a set of new denominations. There was a major change in the reverse from 1927-36 when a design of acorns and oak leaves was used. It circulated until 1990. In Beaumont and Fletcher's "The Scornful Lady", somebody gets "whipt, and then cropt, for washing out the roses in three-farthings to make them pence." All milled silver threepences were 17 millimetres in diameter and weighed 1.5 grams dimensions which were unchanged until near the end of the reign of George III. Plumes were the identifying symbol of the Aberystwyth mint, but the Bristol and Oxford mints often used dies from the Aberystwyth mint so plumes often appear on their output too. Apart from the king's head and name, and the weight being increased to 6.8 grams, the coin was identical to that prepared for Edward VIII. Dates used for the smaller coins were 1561-77. ), and therefore nicknamed these coins "Joeys" in derision (a reference to Joseph Hume) -- we know them as "Britannia Groats". One of the proposed coinage reforms of Edward VIII's reign was to introduce a new brass nickel threepence. The same will happen with later dates also. There was also a fairly rare milled coinage threepence, produced between 1561 and 1564 with similar designs and inscriptions to the hammered coinage threepences. Between 1937 and 1945 the silver threepence was minted each year during King George VI's reign, but it is the 1945 edition that is considered to be extremely rare. A quantity of (370,000) silver threepences were struck dated 1945, although these were all melted with the metal used in other mint products. The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Sovereign Release, The Queen's Beasts - The White Lion of Mortimer, The Queen's Beasts - The White Horse of Hanover, The Queen's Beasts - The Yale of Beaufort, SSC Provenance Mark with 'Vigo' on British Coins, Royal African Company Provenance Marks on British Coins, Sculptors Artists & Engravers of British Coins, Benedetto Pistrucci Engraver Of St. George And The Dragon, Sir Thomas Brock Engraver of Queen Victoria, William Wyon Engraver of the Victoria Young Head Portrait, Edgar Bertram Mackennal Engraver to King George V, George William de Saulles, Sole Engraver Of Edward VII, Mary Gillick Designer of Queen Elizabeth II First Portrait, Ian Rank-Broadley Engraver of Queen Elizabeth II Fourth Portrait, Jody Clark Engraver of Queen Elizabeth Fifth Portrait, Martin Jennings: Engraver of King Charles III Portrait, British Coin Inscriptions in Alphabetical Order, STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS - Coin Inscriptions on British Coins, DIEU ET MON DROIT Inscription on British Coins, NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT - Inscription on British Coins, PLEIDOL WYF I'M GWLAD - Inscription on British Coins, Decus et Tutamen - Inscription on British Coins, GEORGIVS V. DG.BRITT: OMN: REX. The 12-sided shape was famously reintroduced into circulation in 2017 when the Royal Mint updated the design of the one pound coin to a new 12-sided configuration which made counterfeiting more difficult. The Maundy threepences still retained their centuries old design to this day of a crowned figure "3". The young head was issued 1838-87, Jubilee head 1887-93 and old head 1893-1901. . Current policy on British coins as legal tender is - 20 pence pieces, 25 pence coins and 50 pence pieces are legal tender in amounts up to 10 pounds; 5 pence pieces and 10 pence pieces are legal . It was easy to see in change as it was yellow in appearance, and the multiple sides stood out as well as it being quite chunky unlike the small silver threepence. The obverse shows a left-facing effigy of the king[4] (not right as would have been the convention to alternate the direction) with the inscription EDWARDVS VIII D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP, and the reverse shows a three-headed thrift plant with the inscription THREE PENCE 1937. A similar threepence was produced for King James II, dated 1685 to 1688, the obverse showing a left-facing bust of the king and the inscription IACOBVS II DEI GRATIA, with the reverse showing three crowned "I"s (indicating the value) and the inscription MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX date. It was the UKs first dodecagonal (12 sided) coin. This coin weighed 6.6 grams (0.23oz) and the diameter was 21 millimetres (0.83in) across the sides and 22 millimetres (0.87in) across the corners. The silver threepenny bit became known as a 'joey'. 15 February 1971, and ceased to be legal . During the reign of Queen Victoria, threepences were produced both for Maundy use and for normal circulation in all years between 1838 and 1901 except 1847, 1848, and 1852 (perhaps because of the proposal for a decimal currency at the time (see florin); the 3d at 180 pound would not have fitted within a decimal system). The obverse shows a left-facing crowned bust of the queen with a rose behind her, surrounded by the legend ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA, while the reverse shows shield over a long cross, dated 1561, surrounded by the legend POSUI DEU ADIUTOREM MEU. [5] Coins dated 1946 and 1949 were minted in far fewer numbers than the rest, and as nickel-brass wears very quickly, higher grade specimens of these coins are expensive to buy now (both over 500 for uncirculated examples). Similar denominations were later used throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth countries, notably in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Carnac is The Roar's son, who helped in the first fight between her and the Protector. Even with an EF grading, the general circulation George V coins are worth just a few pounds. The new silver threepence design was a shield bearing St. George's cross in the centre of a rose and was issued in 0.500 silver. Coins were produced at the Oxford mint between 1644 and 1646, using the Aberystwyth dies for the obverse, while the reverse of the 1644 coin shows the Declaration of Oxford in three lines: RELI PRO LEG ANG LIB PAR. The Maundy coinage has always been silver. You could use them to pay for goods in new and old money until 1 September 1971 [4], when they were withdrawn. 1644 Oxford, while around the outside of the coin is the legend EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTUR INIMICI -- Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Featuring the depiction of a young Queen Victoria, coins from most years in this era are worth around 10-12. There is the undated issue which looks very like the earlier hammered coinage, with a crowned left-facing bust of the king with the denomination indicated by III behind his head, and the inscription CAROLVS II D G M B F & H REX, with the reverse showing a shield encircling the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and France with the legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO. While the Type 1 threepence of the George VI reign was minted from 1937 through to 1948, its the 1946 minted coins that are most noteworthy, partly due to no minting in 1947. The denomination is identified by the numeral III appearing behind the kings' head. For the joint reign of King William III and Queen Mary II, threepences were produced in all years from 1689 to 1694. The obverse shows a left-facing bust of the Queen, with the inscription ANNA DEI GRATIA while the reverse shows the crowned "3" and MAG BR FR ET HIB REG date (17035, 1707), MAG BR FRA ET HIB REG (1706), or MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG (170813). The silver threepence continued to be minted in parallel until 1945, as there may have been some uncertainty about how well the new coin would be accepted. * Likewise, they could tell the difference between three-farthings, three-halfpence, threepence and sixpence. The silver threepence continued to be minted, as there may have been some uncertainty about how well the new coin would be accepted. By the start of the reign of King George IV (182030) the coin was being struck primarily as a Maundy coin, although some coins were produced for use in the colonies. Threepences were issued in 1762-3, 1765-6, 1770, 1772, 1780, 1784, 1786, 1792, 1795, 1800, 1817, 1818, and 1820. The name has also been applied to any thick or large coin, such as the Groschen (grosso), a silver coin issued by Tyrol in 1271 and Venice in the 13th century, which was the first of this general size to circulate in the Holy Roman Empire and other parts of Europe. The silver threepence continued to be minted, as there may have been some uncertainty about how well the new coin would be accepted. This page is not available in other languages. Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) produced threepences during her third coinage (1561-1577). Due to the vast history of the coin, there are many questions that we get asked around the topic of threepence coins and what theyre worth. They depict the Queens head on one side and clearly state THREE PENCE on the other. Apart from the king's head and name, and the weight being increased to 6.8 grams (0.24oz), the coin was identical to that prepared for Edward VIII. By the end of George V's reign the threepence had become unpopular in England because of its small size (George Orwell comments on this in Keep the Aspidistra Flying[3]), but it remained popular in Scotland. In March 2014, the Royal Mint announced that a new design of one pound coin would be introduced in 2017, reprising the twelve-sided shape. The inscription on the obverse reads GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA up to 1800, and GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA date from 1817. Threepences were struck in all years from 1822 to 1830, though the king's head is smaller on the 1822 issue, apparently because the correct punch broke and the one from the twopence was used instead. . The physical dimensions of the brass threepence remained the same in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Edward VI threepences were struck at the London and York mints. The scarce dates are 1948, 1950 and 1951 and these are now selling for 6080 in mint state. While some eras saw them issued for general circulation, other periods used the threepence as maundy money. reign was inscribed with ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D in 1953, and subsequently used ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D until they ceased production in 1970. So alternate, close, denominations had a rose or no rose, as the case required. Milled coins were produced at the York mint between 1638 and 1649, which look similar to the Aberystwyth product but without the plumes the obverse features a left-facing crowned bust of the king with the numeral III behind him, with the legend CAROLUS D G MAG BR FR ET HI REX, with the reverse showing the royal arms on a shield over a cross, with EBOR over the shield and the legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO. * I would argue that this rose is a sort of mark of value! The obverse shows a front-facing bust of the king, with a rose to the left and the value numeral III to the right, surrounded by the legend EDWARD VI D G ANG FRA Z HIB REX. While the silver threepence was minted as a currency coin until nearly the middle of the twentieth century, it is clear that the purpose of the coin undoubtedly changed during the reign of king George III (1760-1820). In 1644 the Exeter mint produced a fairly scarce threepence. So, put these ideas together. A quantity of (370,000) silver threepences were struck dated 1945, although these were all melted with the metal used in other mint products. If you were looking to sell a threepence to a collector the value goes up substantially, and you can simply take the estimated values above and convert them to dollars. Due to their common nature, those with low gradings are worth pence. The threepence pieces become increasingly difficult to find as you go back through the 18th, 17th, and 16th centuries. Threepences were produced both with the "young head" (183887) and with the "Jubilee head" (188793), inscribed VICTORIA D G BRITANNIAR REGINA F D, while those produced with the "old head" (18931901) are inscribed VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP. Name. The second issue was in 1949 when 200,020 pieces were minted to commemorate the intended royal visit of King George VI. It may surprise most people to learn that silverthreepencesare still issued in the present day, but as we have mentioned, the four denominations of Maundycoins are all still struckannually for the Royal Maundy ceremony. However, we must assume that the coin ceased to be legal tender around the late 1850s/ early 1860s. This could have been with awareness of Australian usage, but: One example of joey = 4d is in "Undercurrents Overlooked, Volume 1" by Mrs. Wm. The mint at Bristol produced rare threepences in 1644 and 1645. During the reign of King George VI, circulation silver threepences were produced only in 19371945 (and almost all the 1945 examples were subsequently melted down). Three pences from Maundy sets are often missing as they were the only easily spendable coin in the set at the time. The coin, albeit in several incarnations, remained in circulation right up until the decimalisation system came into effect. This isn't quite true: * People could tell the difference (by size and weight) between penny, twopence and fourpence. George VI Type 2 threepence coins in subsequent years up to 1952 are not worth very much but offer a cheap solution to boost a collection with the George VI depicted nickel-brass coin. For the nickel-brass coin minted between 1937 and 1970, see, VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP, EDWARDVS VII D G BRITT OMN REX F D IND IMP, ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D, "Oxford Dictionaries definition and pronunciation: threepence", "Oxford Dictionaries definition and pronunciation: threepenny bit", "U.K. to Replace 1-Pound Coin With Secure 12-Edged Design", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_threepence&oldid=1144747310, This page was last edited on 15 March 2023, at 10:20. It was called a tickey in South Africa[6] and Southern Rhodesia.[7]. There were mixed opinions in 1937 when the first brass nickel threepence was issued but it soon became one of the nation's most loved coins due to its quirkiness. With the withdrawal in the UK of the Britannia groat, some people transferred the nickname from the 4d to what then became the UK's smallest circulating coin - most people not having seen (let alone handled) Maundy pennies and twopences. Before Britain went decimal in 1971, the oldest legal tender coins were 1816 silver . Threepences were struck in all years from 1822 to 1830, though the king's head is smaller on the 1822 issue, apparently because the correct punch broke and the one from the twopence was used instead. Threepences were struck in all years from 1822 to 1830, though the king's head is smaller on the 1822 issue, apparently because the correct punch broke and the one from the twopence was used instead. Between 1937 and 1945 the silver threepence was minted each year during King George VIs reign, but it is the 1945 edition that is considered to be extremely rare. [10] The London Mint Office oversaw the sale of the coins, which all date from George V's reign and were valued at a total of approximately 1m, although a more realistic valuation would be in the region of 60,000. The currency threepence was issued for each of the nine years of the reign of King Edward VII from 1902. However, the other six are still out there somewhere and, as such, they are extremely rare today. The Edward VIII era saw the planned introduction of a new, larger, nickel-brass (79% copper, 20% zinc, 1% nickel) twelve-sided threepence coin. Most 1561 issues are 21mm in diameter, while later ones are 19mm in diameter. The old design continued to be made from 1926 for Maundy money at 0.500 silver content and was not circulated. Queen Elizabeth I (15581603) produced threepences during her third coinage (15611577). The reign of King George V (19101936) features several changes to the threepence denomination. Silver threepences continued to be issued until 1944, although from 1942 they were only issued for colonial use, and the last three dates are fairly scarce particularly in higher grades. They feature a left-facing crowned bust of the king with plumes in front of his face and the numeral III behind him, with the legend CAROLUS DG MA B FR ET H REX (or a combination of M(A) B F(R) ET H(I)(B) depending on the engraver), with the reverse showing the royal arms on a large oval shield with plumes above the shield, and the legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO -- I reign under the auspices of Christ. The reverse shows a long cross over the royal shield, surrounded by the legend (London mint) POSUI DEUM ADIUTOREM MEUM (I have made God my helper), or (York mint) CIVITAS EBORACI (City of York). Threepences were struck in all years from 1822 to 1830, though the king's head is smaller on the 1822 issue, apparently because the correct punch broke and the one from the 2d was used instead. The inscription on the obverse reads GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA up to 1800, and GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA date from 1817. The obverse shows a left-facing bust of the queen, with the inscription ANNA DEI GRATIA while the reverse shows the crowned "3" and MAG BR FR ET HIB REG date (1703-5, 1707), MAG BR FRA ET HIB REG (1706), or MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG (1708-13). It was called a tickey in South Africa[6] and Southern Rhodesia.[7]. The silver threepence continued to minted, as there may have been some uncertainty how well the new coin would be accepted. The currency threepence was issued for each of the nine years of the reign of king Edward VII from 1902. When the Sea Turned to Silver. In Australia, it was noticed that the (silver) threepence was a very small coin. Former coin of the United Kingdom and other territories, "Threepenny bit" redirects here. A total of just 12 of these coins were struck for experimental purposes and sent to a slot machine manufacturing company for testing. In the first two years of minting, 1762 and 1763, the coin was obviously produced for general circulation as examples are generally found well worn; on the other hand, coins from the late issue (181720) are usually found in very fine condition, indicating that they were probably issued as Maundy money. No threepences were produced by the Commonwealth. In the case of the euro, coins and banknotes of former national currencies were in some cases considered legal tender from 1 January 1999 until various dates in 2002. The common weight of the threepence was 6.8 grams, comprising 79% copper, 20% zinc and 1% nickel. The maundy issues of these coins actually grow in value the later into the era you go. The silver coinage was issued with a silver content of 92.5%, known as sterling silver, until 1920. . At the same time a new brass alloy was used for the new twelve sided brass threepences. The inscription on the obverse reads GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA up to 1800, and GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA date from 1817. When did the British Threepence cease to be legal tender? 1644 Oxford, while around the outside of the coin is the legend EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTUR INIMICI Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. This coin was produced in all years from 1953 to 1967, and in 1970 (in proof sets only). Before decimalisation brought about a new currency with new coinage, the sum of three pence was pronounced variously /rpns/ THRUUP-nss, /rp-/ THREP-, /rp-/ THRUP-, reflecting different pronunciations in the various regions and nations of Great Britain. The threepence coin was withdrawn in 1971 due to decimalisation and replaced by the decimal new penny, with 2.4d being worth 1p. The brass threepence ceased to be legal tender after 31 August 1971. This is because in this year it was ordered that all threepence coins were to be melted down for their silver content due to the decreasing popularity of the silver threepence. For the sole reign of William III, the design remained very similar, with the inscriptions changed to GVLIELMVS III DEI GRA and MAG BR FR ET HIB REX date. The denomination was written in the legend round the outside of the leaves. No. The first issue in 1935 was struck to commemorate the Jubilee of King George V. It was limited to 764 pieces and the Treasury decided to charge 7s. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Type 1 (1911-1920) contains 0.925 silver, Type 2 (1920-1926) contains 0.5 silver, Type 3 (1926) carries a modified obverse image, and Type 4 (1927-1936) has a New Oak Sprig reverse. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. . In style they are very reminiscent of his father's issues, the obverse featuring the bust of the king, with the numeral III and the legend CAROLUS II D G MAG BRI F ET H REX, with the reverse showing the royal arms on a shield over a cross, and the legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO. The effigy of the queen produced by Mary Gillick was used, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D used in 1953, and ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D used in all other years. In 1937 a new design was introduced for the threepence of George VI. This coin weighed 6.6grams and the diameter was 21mm across the sides and 22mm across the corners. Best Answer Copy The British brass threepence ceased to be legal tender after 31 August 1971, following decimalisation. . The first obverse design from 1937-48 included the words GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP. meaning George the Sixth by the Grace of God King of all the Britains Defender of the Faith Emperor of India. Editions from 1949-52 omitted IND:IMP (Emperor of India) as The King had chosen to use a different title of Head of the Commonwealth. Dates used for the smaller coins were 156177. 1 Croydon was known for many years as the "threepenny bit building" for its resemblance to a stack of threepenny coins. This is because in this year it was ordered that all threepence coins were to be melted down for their silver content due to the decreasing popularity of the silver threepence. * However, a factor of 1.5 or less was NOT enough, especially as sometimes coins got "clipped", to steal some silver from them. During the reign of Queen Victoria, threepences were produced both for maundy use and for normal circulation in all years between 1838 and 1901 except 1847, 1848, and 1852 (probably because of the possible advent of a decimal currency at the time (see florin), when the 3d at 1/80 of a pound would not have fitted within a decimal system). 1943 threepence.
