George VI Threepence

Nickel-brass dodecagonal threepences were introduced in 1937, running in parallel with the final years of the silver threepence until 1941 – the last year silver issues were struck for the UK. Their introduction aimed to reduce the vast tonnages of bronze coinage in circulation. For example, London Transport was reportedly handling more than 600 tons of bronze each year. The brass threepence coincided with a hiatus in penny production (1940–1944) in an attempt to ease the burden of small change.

From 1942 to 1944, small quantities of silver threepences were struck for export to the West Indies. These issues, particularly in high grade, are scarce and collectable. A 1945 issue was struck but melted down, with only a single specimen known to have survived.

George VI Threepences

1937 Silver

1937 Nickel-Brass

1938 Silver

1938 Nickel-Brass

1939 Silver

1939 Nickel-Brass

1940 Silver

1940 Nickel-Brass

1941 Silver

1941 Nickel-Brass

1942 Silver

1942 Nickel-Brass

1943 Silver

1943 Nickel-Brass

1944 Silver

1944 Nickel-Brass

1945

1946

1948

1949

1950

1951

1952

George VI Threepence Specifications

Nickel-brass threepence	Silver threepence
Diameter: 22mm Weight: 6.8g Alloy: Cu 79%, Zn 20%, Ni 1%	Diameter: 16mm Weight: 1.4g Alloy: Ag 50%, Cu 40%, Ni 5%, Zn 5%

I always think that the George VI nickel brass threepence is rather an under-appreciated series.

There's plenty of interest and variation in scarcity. There are varieties, yes, and some have fascinating historical context to do with the loss of the Malay tin mines to the Japanese during the war, and even a few Proofs if you like Proofs.

The relative scarcity of 1946 and 1949 is obvious in the histogram, but also note the 1950 and 1951, and the little peak around 1939. It's an interesting series!

And I think they're ever so pretty in top grade.

1937

There are minor varieties for the reverse and the obverse of the 1937 nickel-brass threepence. I don't have the patience for them, but Dave Groom details them very well. It's funny how some varieties grab you and some don't.

As for the silver threepence, 1937 is the only year that uses Reverse A, with the I of IMP pointing to a bead. 1938 onward are all Reverse B, with the I of IMP pointing between beads. Peter Davies details the 1937 Reverse B coin as "unconfirmed". This is tantalising, as I have found a few of Davies' unconfirmed coins, so they may well be out there. I did actively look for a year or two, but I don't look any more. I will make an offer if anyone does find one!

1937 Threepence Varieties

Reverse A	Reverse B
I of IMP points to a bead 1937	I of IMP points between beads 1938–1944 …and possibly 1937 Unconfirmed Davies 2231

1937 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1938

1938 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1939

1939 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1940

1940 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1941

An interesting historical effect on the nickel brass threepence series is pointed out by Peck. After the loss to the Japanese of the Malayan tin mines, high quality steel became very difficult to come by, and high quality steel was required for the collars that produced the dodecagonal threepence. It was found that the collars lasted longer if rounded corners were used, rather than sharp. So part way through the 1941 run, the Mint switched to round cornered coins. Sharp are commoner, slightly.

Production of the sharp cornered coins was resumed part way through the 1948 run, and sharp cornered 1948 coins are really quite scarce. Both varieties have also been noted for 1949 threepences.

1941 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1942

1942 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1943

1943 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse

1944

1944 Threepence

Nickel-brass

Obverse	Reverse

Silver

Obverse	Reverse