Bulk quantities of pre-owned .500 silver British Threepence coins, dated 1920 to 1945.
Are Silver Threepence Coins Valuable?
Threepences are 'Old Money' coins. You might have heard these coins called a 'thruppence' or a 'thruppeny bit'. They're also referred to as '3d' coins with the 'd' standing for pence, taken from the Latin word 'Denarius' - an ancient Roman coin. Threepence coins were used from Tudor times through until Decimal Day in 1971, after which these coins were demonetised.
Old Threepences, including silver ones can no longer be spent in shops but they are often found in coin collections or piggy banks. These British coins are tiny and very thin. They feature beautiful, intricate designs, making them appealing to look at. Collectors value scarce dates and high-grade examples.
As well as their 'numismatic' value, Threepences have an intrinsic value thanks to their silver content.
What Are Threepence Coins Made From?
Before 1947, many everyday British coins were made from real silver. Until 1920, 92.5% sterling silver was used by the Royal Mint to make Crowns, Halfcrowns, Florins, Sixpences and Threepences. In that year, the percentage of silver used was reduced to 50% with additional metals like copper included to produce a tough material, ideal for producing hardwearing coins.
This 50% or .500 fineness silver was used from 1920 until 1947 when silver was removed from circulating UK currency altogether. The use of silver for Threepences was phased out slightly earlier.
1920-1945 Silver Threepence Specifications
- Weight: 1.41 grams
- Diameter: 16.20 millimetres
- Composition: 50% silver, 50% other metals
There were also nickel-brass Threepences produced by The Royal Mint between 1937 and 1970, concurrently for some years with silver Threepences. These are not included in these kilogram packages.
George VI Silver Threepences
The first 50% silver Threepence coins were minted in 1920 during the reign of King George V. These coins are easy to spot thanks to the royal portrait that appears on the 'heads' side, showing the King with his trademark moustache. Early coins from George V's reign feature a crowned number three design to the reverse or 'tails' side, the same design used on Maundy money. In 1928 this design was changed to one featuring three oak leaves and three acorns.
By the time that King George VI came to the throne in 1937 silver Threepence coins were going out of fashion. 50% silver 3d coins were produced by The Royal Mint until 1941 with an attractive shield and rose design. From 1942 until 1945 these coins were only produced for colonial use, outside of the UK. Those later issues are quite rare. 12-sided nickel brass Threepences were also being produced at the same time and eventually these replaced the silver coins altogether.
Mixed Date 50% Silver Threepences
Our bulk Threepence 1kg packs contain mixed-date coins produced under the reigns of George V and George VI. The designs and dates you receive depend on our current stock. You are unlikely to find Maundy 3ds or low-mintage years like 1926, 1930 or 1942-1945 in your order. If you are looking for a specific date or a rare coin from this period we recommend using the search bar on our website. We offer a range of high-quality Threepences and other historic UK coins.
These coins are pre-sorted by our experts to ensure all the Threepences you receive are genuine and are made from .500 silver. These 3ds were previously circulated so they show they show wear and natural tarnishing, typical of old coins. This does not impact the silver content as we measure these orders out by weight. Examples that are very worn or defaced have been removed.
Investing In Pre-Decimal Silver Coins
British coins struck between 1920 and 1947 are not legal tender any more but remain valuable because of their high silver content. Halfcrowns, Florins, Shillings, Sixpences and Threepences produced in these years were all made from 50% silver.
Silver is a great long-term investment with a lower entry point than gold. Market fluctuations can be dramatic but silver is a great addition to a diverse precious metals portfolio.
These pre-1947 kilogram Threepence packs are our best value option for buying silver. We're able to offer such a good price because these second-hand, non-legal tender coins are subject to the VAT Margin Scheme meaning the only Value Added Tax you pay is already included in the small margin we charge.
Cash In Old Silver Threepence Coins
Got old silver Threepences you don't want? We'll buy your old coins for market-leading prices. Get cash for your 3d coins from home by visiting our Sell Your Coins page. We'll provide a free, no-obligation quote. If you're happy with our price all you need to do is post your coins to us. We'll pay you within 48 hours of your coins reaching our office in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).