What is "threepence"

Threepence \Three"pence\, n. A small silver coin of three times the value of a penny.

n. 1 (context uncountable English) The amount of money equal to that of three penny (old or new). 2 (context countable historical English) A former (pre-decimalisation) British coin worth three old penny.

n. former cupronickel coin of the United Kingdom equal to three pennies

The British threepence (3d) coin, usually simply known as a threepence or threepenny bit, was a unit of currency equaling one eightieth of a pound sterling, or three pence sterling. It was used in the United Kingdom, and earlier in Great Britain and England. Similar denominations were later used throughout the British Empire, notably in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The sum of three pence was pronounced variously , or , reflecting different pronunciations in the various regions and nations of the United Kingdom. Likewise, the coin was often referred to in conversation as a , or bit.

Before Decimal Day in 1971 there were two hundred and forty pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), pronounced "three and six". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence, e.g. eight pence would be 8d.

The threepence (3d) coin was a subdivision of the pre-decimal Irish pound, worth of a pound or of a shilling. The Irish name (leath reul) literally meant "half reul", the reul being a sixpence coin worth the same as the Spanish real (a quarter of a peseta). As with all other Irish coins, it resembled its British counterpart, as the Irish pound was pegged to the British pound until 1979.

Originally it was struck in nickel and was very hard-wearing. In 1942, as nickel became more valuable, the metal was changed to cupronickel of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin measured in diameter and weighed 3.23995 grams; this did not change with cupro-nickel coin. The coin was minted at the Royal Mint starting from 1928, and ceased to be legal tender after decimalisation on 31 December 1971. Ireland did not adopt the brass, dodecagonal three pence coin that Britain used between 1937 and 1971.

The reverse design featuring a hare was by the English artist Percy Metcalfe. The obverse featured the Irish harp. From 1928 to 1937 the date was split either side of the harp with the name Saorstát Éireann circling around. From 1938 to 1969 the inscription changed to Éire on the left of the harp and the date on the right.

Threepence may refer to:

• Threepence (Irish coin), a pre-decimalisation coin of Ireland
• Threepence (Australian), a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalization
• Threepence (British coin), a pre-decimalisation coin of the United Kingdom

The Australian Threepence is a small silver coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It was minted from 1910 until 1964, excluding 1913, 1929–1933 inclusive, 1937, 1945 and 1946. After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the coin was equivalent to 2½¢, but was rapidly withdrawn from circulation.

During World War II, between 1942–1944, threepence production was supplemented by coinage produced by the United States Mint with coins produced at the San Francisco and Denver mints. Coins minted at the San Francisco mint 1942–1944 contain a small S on the reverse, while coins produced at the Denver mint 1942–1943 have a small D on the reverse.