Threepence 1950 (Brass), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Threepence 1950 (Brass), Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1971)
CoinThreepence 1950 (Brass)

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 one with a Tudor Rose, while the Maundy threepence continued with the traditional crowned numeral reverse.

By the end of King George V's reign the threepence had become unpopular in England because of its small size, but it remained popular in Scotland. It was consequently decided to introduce a more substantial threepenny coin which would have a more convenient weight/value ratio than the silver coinage. During the reign of King George VI, the new nickel-brass threepence format took over the bulk of the production of the denomination, being produced in all years between 1937 and 1952 except 1947. 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.

A new reverse type, featuring a portcullis, replaced this design for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Threepence coins issued in 1950 circulated for 21 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 1,617,513 (1.6 million)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Threepence 1950 (Brass) - 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 FIDEI DEF.. Translated from Latin: George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX FIDEI DEF.
Reverse
United Kingdom / Threepence 1950 (Brass) - reverse photo

At the centre of the reverse, a three-headed thrift plant (Allium porum, or wild leek).

Around above, the value and denomination THREE PENCE; below, the date of issue: 1950.

Reverse Inscription THREE PENCE 1950
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Threepence 1950 (Brass): Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: 17,513 (included in total)
Variety Matte proof
Mintage Issued: unknown. Rarity: R7 (Highest rarity possible, 3 or less examples known)
Details

According to Spink, "of highest rarity". According to Krause, "there are reportedly 2-4 known of this variety, struck specifically for use in photographs".

Threepence 1950 (Brass): References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Remick, Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1971 Mint
Remick, Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1971 Mintage Circulation and proof mintage
Remick, Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1971 Varieties Proof
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom Varieties Matte proof
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 1950 (Brass): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeThreepence, Brass, Thrift Plant
Issued1950
MonarchKing George VI
EffigyKing George VI - Bare Head, by Thomas Humphrey Paget
Face Value3 (x Penny)
Circulation Mintage1,600,000 (1.6 million)
Total Mintage1,617,513 (1.6 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1971
MaterialNickel Brass (Neusilber)
DesignerFrancis Madge Kitchener
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeDodecagonal (12-sided)
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size21.8000 mm
Thickness2.6000 mm
Mass6.8000 g
OCC IDYMXK-DOKQ-CXRX-OWQJ
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Threepence 1950 (Brass): Photos
ImageDetails
Threepence 1950 (Brass): Photo Coin, Great Britain, 3 Pence, 1950 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, 3 Pence, 1950
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Threepence 1950 (Brass): Photo Coin, Great Britain, 3 Pence, 1950 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, 3 Pence, 1950
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Threepence 1950 (Brass): Catalogue Reference IDs