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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 In 1938, this new design superseded it - featuring three stalks of grain; the old type of coins remained in circulation.
Coins issued in 1963 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after only three years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
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| Mint | Melbourne Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
44,017,500 (44.0 million)
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.
The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.
The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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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 1963 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. |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Krause catalogues show proof mintage of 5,042. |
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