Australia 1964 3 pence

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This billon threepence piece or "thrup'ny bit" was issued from the Melbourne mint for Australia in 1963, one of a type struck 1955-64. An earlier type, struck 1953-54, featured a slightly different obverse legend, "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA." Sterling coinage ceased after 1964 and in 1966, the Australian dollar was introduced.

Sterling coinage was struck for several countries besides Great Britain, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Fiji and New Guinea. All converted to decimal coinage in the 1960's. Sterling silver (.925 fine) threepences were struck in Great Britain until 1920, then at 0.500 fine until 1944. Brass threepences circulated there 1937-67. Australia issued sterling silver threepence pieces 1910-44 and billon pieces 1947-64. New Zealand threepence pieces were 0.500 fine during 1933-46 and copper-nickel 1947-65. South African threepence pieces were 0.800 fine during 1923-50 and billon 1951-60. Southern Rhodesian threepence pieces were sterling silver 1932-42 and billon 1944-46 and copper-nickel 1947-64.

Recorded mintage: 20,320,000.

Specification: 1.41 g, 0.500 fine silver, .0226 troy oz ASW, 16 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Mary Gillick and George Kruger-Gray.

Catalog reference: KM 57.

Source:

• McDonald, Greg, The Pocket Guide to Australian Coins and Banknotes, 23rd ed., Lavington, Australia, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1963 threepence
• 1964 half penny
• 1964 penny
• 1979 5 cents
• Coins and currency dated 1964
• return to coins of Australia