Threepence, First Design, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Threepence, First Design, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1834 - 1887)
Coin TypeThreepence, First Design

The pre-decimal threepence (3d), usually simply known as a threepence or threepenny bit, was a unit of currency equalling one eightieth of a pound sterling, or three pence sterling. It was used in the United Kingdom, and earlier in Great Britain and England.

Coins of the same size and virtually the same design (but with proof-like finish) have been issued regularly since 1817 and continue to be released every year as part of Maundy sets; these are listed separately under Maundy Threepence in the NCLT section; apart from the surface quality, they are indistinguishable.

Threepence coins issued during the reign of King George III differ from the later issues in that part of the monarch's legend is transferred to the reverse.

The composition is Sterling Silver (0.925 silver) and the coins have 0.0420 oz ASW (ounce of Absolute Silver Weight).

Obverse
United Kingdom / Threepence, First Design - obverse photo

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin).

Obverse Inscription Legend of the ruling British monarch
Reverse
United Kingdom / Threepence, First Design - reverse photo

Within an open oak wreath, the numeral value 3 [pence].

Above the value, St Edward's Crown. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, it has been traditionally used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th century (with a two-century gap between 1689 and 1911).

Divided by the value, the date of issue: [year].

Reverse Inscription 3 [year]
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
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Coin Type: Threepence, First Design - (52) Coins
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Threepence, First Design: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Sub-type ofThreepence, Circulating
From1834
To1887
Face Value3 (x Penny)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1971)
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerJean Baptiste Merlen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size
Mass1.4100 g
Threepence, First Design: Photos
ImageDetails
Threepence, First Design: Photo Coin - Threepence, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1886 Coin - Threepence, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1886
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Threepence, First Design: Photo Coin - Threepence, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1877 Coin - Threepence, Queen Victoria, Great Britain, 1877
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Queen Victoria (1838 - 1887).
Source