Southern Rhodesia 1951 3 pence
Rhodesia, named after diamond magnate Cecil Rhodes, was created a self-governing colony of Britain in 1923. Coinage commenced in 1932. The three pence pieces were originally sterling silver (KM 1, issued 1932-36 and KM 9, issued 1937), then 0.500 fine silver (KM 16, issued 1939-46) and finally copper-nickel (this type, struck 1948-52). Additional three pence pieces were struck 1955-64 while Rhodesia was federated with Nyasaland; these are listed under Rhodesia & Nyasaland. These pieces are quite scarce despite the large mintage; much neglected fifteen years ago when this specimen was acquired, they now catalog for a substantial sum for such a small, obscure coin.
Recorded mintage: 5,600,000.
Specification: copper-nickel, 16 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Percy Metcalfe and G. E. Kruger-Gray.
Catalog reference: KM 20.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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