1952M Australian Threepence

Description

The Australian Threepence (or three pence) is a small silver coin which was used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal threepence, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia – but not in the United Kingdom). 3 pence were equal to one quarter of a shilling, or 1/80th of a pound.

The reverse of the first type of Australian threepence coins features the 1908 Coat of Arms. In 1938, a new design superseded it, featuring three stalks of grain; the old type of coins remained in circulation.

The coins were initially struck by the Royal Mint, then mostly by the Melbourne Mint; during World War II its production was supplemented by coinage produced by the United States Mint:
– Royal Mint, 1910 – 1915, no mint mark; 1951 letters PL for mint mark
– Melbourne Mint, 1916 – 1964, letter M to 1921, then no mint mark
– Sydney Mint, 1924 – 1926, no mint mark
– United States Mint, San Francisco, 1942 – 1944, with S mint mark
– United States Mint, Denver, 1943, with D mint mark

The coins were made of sterling silver (composition: 0.925 silver, equal to 0.0419 oz ASW) until 1946; this was later debased to 50% silver (0.0226 oz ASW) while retaining the same design. They circulated until decimalisation and were withdrawn in 1966, when Australia switched to its current Australian Dollar currency. Unlike some of the larger denominations, they were not re-denominated into units of the new currency. However, the threepence coins were never formally demonetised and are still legal tender for 2½¢.

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin). Being a Dominion of the British Empire, Australia used the Imperial legend of the monarch and not a “home” version of it.

Throughout the existence of the coin type, the monarchs were:
– King Edward VII, 1910 only, shown in his Crowned bust by George William de Saulles
– King George V, 1911 – 1936, shown in his Crowned bust by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal
– King George VI, 1938 – 1952, shown in his Bare Head portrait by Thomas Humphrey Paget
– Queen Elizabeth II, 1953 – 1964, shown in her First Effigy by Mary Gillick

There were no coins released for King Edward VIII.

The reverse (1910 – 1936) features the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 7th May 1908.

At centre, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons (small shields). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base, the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed.

Around above, the denomination THREEPENCE; below, between arrow heads, the date [year].

The second reverse (1938 – 1964) features three ears of wheat held by a curved ribbon. Around above, AUSTRALIA; around below, divided into two by the stalks of the wheat, the denomination THREE PENCE; above, across the middle of the coin the date [year] divided into two by the ears.

The artist’s initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray) are tucked, divided, into the first and last bends in the ribbon.

Additional information