Wiktionary
alt. 1 (label en history of numismatics) A silver coin with a face value of 1½d.: 2 # Such an (l/en: English) coin (1½http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny%20(English%20coin)), minted 1561–1582. 3 # Such a (l/en: British) coin (1½http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny%20(British%20pre-decimal%20coin) = (l mul £)⅟₁₆₀), minted 1834–1843 and 1860–1862 for (l/en: circulation) in the colonies of the (l/en: British Empire) (chiefly (l/en: Ceylon) and the (l/en: West Indies)). 4 (context dated UK English) A (l/en: money of account) equal to 1½d. n. 1 (label en history of numismatics) A silver coin with a face value of 1½d.: 2 # Such an (l/en: English) coin (1½http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny%20(English%20coin)), minted 1561–1582. 3 # Such a (l/en: British) coin (1½http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny%20(British%20pre-decimal%20coin) = (l mul £)⅟₁₆₀), minted 1834–1843 and 1860–1862 for (l/en: circulation) in the colonies of the (l/en: British Empire) (chiefly (l/en: Ceylon) and the (l/en: West Indies)). 4 (context dated UK English) A (l/en: money of account) equal to 1½d.
Wikipedia
The British three halfpence was a silver coin worth d or of a pound produced for circulation in the British colonies, mainly in Ceylon and the West Indies in each year between 1834 and 1843, and also in 1860 and 1862. Proof coins were also produced in 1870.
The coin is considered to be part of the British coinage because it has no indication of what country it was minted for, being made in the same style as the other contemporary coins of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The coins were made of silver, weighed 0.7 grams and had a diameter of 12 millimetres. The reverse of the coin, throughout its existence, showed "" beneath a crown and over the date, all contained within a wreath. The obverse of coins minted between 1834 and 1837 show the right-facing portrait of King William IV with the inscription GULIELMUS IIII D G BRITANNIAR REX F D. The obverse of the later coins bear the left-facing portrait of Queen Victoria, with the inscription VICTORIA D G BRITANNIAR REGINA F D.
For other denominations, see British coinage.
The English three halfpence, a silver coin worth d, was introduced in Elizabeth I of England's third and fourth coinages (1561–1582) as part of a plan to produce large quantities of coins of varying denominations and high metal content. The obverse shows a left-facing bust of the queen, with a rose behind her, with the legend E D G ROSA SINE SPINA – Elizabeth by the grace of God a rose without a thorn – while the reverse shows the royal arms with the date above the arms and a mintmark at the beginning of the legend CIVITAS LONDON – City of London, the Tower Mint.
The three-halfpence coin closely resembles the English Three Farthing coin and the Threepence coin, which differed only in the diameter. This is 16 millimetres in an unclipped coin, compared to 14 mm for the three-farthings, and 19 mm for the three pence (except 1561, which was 21 mm).
No three-halfpences were produced after 1582, probably because under both James I and Charles I large quantities of halfpennies and farthings were produced.
Three halfpence may refer to:
- Three halfpence (British coin), a silver coin produced for circulation in the British colonies, mainly in Ceylon and the West Indies in each year between 1834 and 1843, and also in 1860 and 1862; proof coins were also produced in 1870
- Three halfpence (English coin), a silver coin introduced in Elizabeth I of England's third and fourth coinages (1561–1582)
- Three Halfpence Red, first issued 1870, the first Three Halfpenny postage stamp issued in the United Kingdom
Usage examples of "three halfpence".
He has raised his rents, to the danger of depopulating his farms, and he fells his timber, and by exerting every art of augmentation, has obtained an yearly revenue of four hundred pounds, which for a hundred square miles is three halfpence an acre.
I think not, but it may give wings to imagination when I say that in London's underworld there are at least 50,000 women whose earnings do not exceed three halfpence per hour, and who live under conditions similar to those described.