New Zealand 1937 3 pence
This specimen was part of lot 23383 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $12,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "NEW ZEALAND. Silver Proof Set (5 Pieces), 1937. London Mint. George VI. All PCGS Certified. As a set: KM-PS4. Mintage: 200. 1) 1/2 Crown. PCGS PROOF-64. 2) Florin. PCGS PROOF-64. 3) Shilling. PCGS PROOF-64. 4) 6 Pence. PCGS PROOF-64. 5) 3 Pence. PCGS PROOF-64. A charming and rather elusive as a complete set issue, this 1937 proof set is one of the more elusive offerings of the New Zealand pre-decimal coinage, with a mintage of approximately 200 sets. Each individual member of this set is graded at the near-Gem level, with sharp detail and a limited amount of foxing toning that fleets and flicks across the surfaces. A charming set that is a must have for any serious collector of New Zealand coinage." New Zealand did not receive her own coinage until 1933, British coins being used heretofore. Issue of pennies and half pennies did not begin until 1940. Threepences were struck for George VI in 0.500 fine silver 1937-46, then copper-nickel for 1947. In 1948 the obverse was revised from "GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR" to "KING GEORGE THE SIXTH." The denomination was terminated upon decimalization in 1965.
Recorded mintage: 2,880,000 plus c. 200 proofs.
Specification: 1.41 g, 0.500 fine silver, 16.3 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 7.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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