I have to apologize for the lateness of this months magazine. Due to some severe computer problems, I lost all the information and the final draft of this months magazine two days before it was to be published. I hope you enjoy this months magazine even though it is late.
The threepence first appeared around 1547 during the time of
Edward VI. In the context of coinage of the time it could have been seen as a
sensible move to introduce this coin as it would have been a useful coin being a
quarter of a shilling. This coin was however not popular and therefore was not
minted for a again till 1561.
Elizabeth I reintroduced this coin as part of her second
coinage release around 1561. The adopted size of the coin was 21mm. This dropped
to 19mm later in her reign as silver prices soured. The coin remained in favour
till the end of her reign. The coin was not minted again until around 1625 when
Charles I took power. The coin, although not popular with the people, was
produced irregularly over the next 150 years. It lack of popularity was most
likely because of its' small size and the fact there were other coin options
available at the time (namely the groat being fourpence), although these other options lacked the ease of
conversion (ie it was a quarter of a shilling) of the threepence.
The era of George III (1760 - 1820) saw a change of the use of the threepence. Early in his reign, the coin was produced as a general circulation coin. This is evidenced by the fact that most early George III coins are well worn and easy to come by. Later coins are rarer and in far better condition indicating that they were probably produced as Maundy money. (Maundy money is given to "the poor" in Christian Maundy ceremonies). Most threepence produced between 1830 and 1837 were Maundy coins, although a large number were produced for the British colonies (including Australia).
The threepence was minted again for circulation in Britain
from 1837 and continued to be minted up until decimalization in 1971. It's form
did however change. During the reign of George V, the threepence became a very
unpopular coin due to it's small size. 1937 saw the introdcution of a brass 12
sided threepence into British coinage. Silver threepence were still however
produced as Maundy money. In 1971 the brass threepence ceased to be legal tender
in Britain. The silver threepence was revalued under the decimal system as it
was seen that wiping the silver coin, issued as Maundy money, would be unfair to
the "poor."
The first Australian threepence was produced in 1910. This coin was the smallest circulation coin produced being 16mm in diameter and weighing 1.41 grams. It was not till 1916 that the first Australian Minted threepence was produced in Melbourne. Like all early Australian silver the first monarch to appear on the coin was Edward VII. In 1911 this changed to George V. The first major change to the coin was the replacement of the Australian coat of Arms with three wheat stalks in 1938. The only other major change to the coins was the dropping of the silver content to 50% silver in 1947.
The threepence series has two overdates, being 1922/21 and 1934/33. The mint however strongly denies the existance of the 1922/21 overdate. (See July 2003 magazine for more details on these overdates).
The threepence series is a very affordable series for the novice collector. All coins except the 1922/21 overdate are easily obtainable in low grades with a complete collection (except 1922/21 overdate) obtainable for under $100. Like all Australian silver coins, older coins of the series are less obtainable in high grades, but in saying that are more affordable than say early florins.
The threepence series is a must for all collectors. I nice set of coins will be a standout in any collection.
References:
Guy Clarke Ancient Coins http://www.ancient-art.com/medieval.htm
McDonald G, Collecting and Investing in Australian Coins and Banknotes, 2nd Ed. (Sydney: 1991).
Myatt B & Hanley T, Australian Coins, Notes and Medals, Castle Books (Melbourne: 1982).
Robert G Lilley Ancient and Medieval Coins http://www.newwave.net/~lilcoins
Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org