Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating), Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1971)
CoinThreepence 1938 (Silver, circulating)

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.

Maundy Threepence have been issued for centuries (they are still being struck today for ceremonial purposes), and initially the circulating threepence were identical in design. Starting in 1927, they were made different - first with a design featuring three oak sprigs then this one with a Tudor Rose, while the Maundy threepence continued with the traditional crowned numeral reverse.

This type was only issued for King George VI, and only until 1945 (almost all the 1945 examples were subsequently melted down). A twelve-sided nickel brass threepence was also introduced in 1937; the two formats were issued in parallel until the brass version finally supplanted the silver threepence.

Threepence coins issued in 1938 circulated for 33 years until "Decimal Day", 15 February 1971, and ceased to be legal tender after 31 August 1971. Unlike some of the larger denominations, they were not re-denominated to a decimal value when the decimal Pound Sterling was introduced.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 6,402,473 (6.4 million)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating) - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George VI facing left.

Below the neck truncation in small letters, the artist's initials HP (for [Thomas] Humphrey Paget).

Around, the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX. Translated from Latin: George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains.

Obverse Inscription GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Reverse
United Kingdom / Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating) - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin shows the Shield of St George lying on a Tudor rose, dividing the date: 1938.

Above, the rest of the monarch's legend: FID: DEF: IND: IMP: (Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India). Below, the value and denomination THREE · PENCE.

Below the rose in small letters, the designer's initials K · G (for [George] Kruger Gray).

Reverse Inscription FID: DEF: IND: IMP: 1938 THREE · PENCE
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): References to Information Used
Showing 43 from a total of 143 coins of type: Threepence, Circulating
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Threepence 1934 (Circulating) 7,405,954 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Threepence 1935 (Circulating) 7,027,654 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Threepence 1936 (Circulating) 3,238,670 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Threepence 1937 (Silver, circulating) 8,174,558 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1937 (Brass) 45,734,359 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating) 6,402,473 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1938 (Brass) 14,532,332 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1939 (Silver, circulating) 1,355,866 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1939 (Brass) 5,603,021 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1940 (Silver, circulating) 7,914,401 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1940 (Brass) 12,636,018 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1941 (Silver, circulating) 7,979,411 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1941 (Brass) 60,239,489 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1942 (Silver, circulating) 4,144,051 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1942 (Brass) 103,214,400 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1943 (Silver, circulating) 1,379,220 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1943 (Brass) 101,702,400 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1944 (Silver, circulating) 2,005,553 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1944 (Brass) 69,760,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1945 (Silver, circulating) 371,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Threepence 1945 (Brass) 33,942,466 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1946 (Brass) 620,734 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1948 (Brass) 4,230,400 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP.
Threepence 1949 (Brass) 464,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Threepence 1950 (Brass) 1,617,513 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Threepence 1951 (Brass) 1,204,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Threepence 1952 (Brass) 25,494,400 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Threepence 1953 (Brass) 30,658,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH II DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REGINA F: D:
Threepence 1954 (Brass) 41,720,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1955 (Brass) 41,075,200 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1956 (Brass) 36,901,600 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1957 (Brass) 24,294,400 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1958 (Brass) 20,504,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1959 (Brass) 28,499,200 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1960 (Brass) 83,078,400 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1961 (Brass) 41,102,400 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1962 (Brass) 47,241,600 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1963 (Brass) 35,280,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1964 (Brass) 47,440,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1965 (Brass) 23,907,200 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1966 (Brass) 55,320,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1967 (Brass) 49,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Threepence 1970 (Brass, proof only) 750,746 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:
Showing 101 to 143 of 143 Coins.
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Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeThreepence, Tudor Rose
Issued1938
MonarchKing George VI
EffigyKing George VI - Bare Head, by Thomas Humphrey Paget
Face Value3 (x Penny)
Total Mintage6,402,473 (6.4 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1971
Material0.500 Silver
DesignerGeorge Kruger Gray
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size16.0000 mm
Mass1.4100 g
OCC IDPNXY-DENZ-CDWK-EVRB
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Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Photos
ImageDetails
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Photo Great Britain, George VI, 3 Pence, 1938 / thumbnail Great Britain, George VI, 3 Pence, 1938
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Photo Great Britain, George VI, 3 Pence, 1938 / thumbnail Great Britain, George VI, 3 Pence, 1938
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Threepence 1938 (Silver, circulating): Catalogue Reference IDs