Australia 1916-M 3 pence
This specimen was lot 70104 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, February 2020), where it sold for $75. The catalog description[1] noted, "AUSTRALIA. 3 Pence, 1916-M. Melbourne Mint. PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield. The 1916-M is a significantly better date in the 3 Pence series, especially this close to mint state." This type was struck at the London mint 1911-15 and the Melbourne mint 1916-36 tho not all dates bear mintmarks. This date is scarce but not the key. Australia maintained the sterling silver standard until 1945, years after Great Britain had debased her coins to 0.500 fine.
Recorded mintage: 1,913,000 + 25 proofs.
Specification: 1.41 g, 0.925 fine silver, 16 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM-24.
- McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
- Pitt, Michael, ed., Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values, 32nd Edition, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia: Renniks Publications, 2023.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The February 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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