Elizabeth II Threepence

A straightforward series, but it will give the first hints of some of the difficulties that the "tricky '50s" throw up in the higher denominations.  Prepare to wait for a perfect 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959.

Like all 1953 coins apart from the Penny, the Threepence comes with two Obverses.

1953 Obv 1
1953 Obv 1
 1953 Obv 2
1953 Obv 2
 1954
1954
 1955
1955
 1956
1956
 1957
1957
 1958
1958
 1959
1959
1960
1960
 1961
1961
 1962
1962
 1963
1963
 1964
1964
 1965
1965
 1966
1966
 1967
1967


1953

Obverse 1 was originally the scarcer of the two 1953 coins, as it was only found in the plastic sets, and 1.3 million of those were issued, compared to more than 30 million Obverse 2s. As circulation took its toll, and as more plastic sets were split, Obverse 1 gradually became commoner in high grade. It is now quite unusual to find an Uncirculated Obverse 2. Not Rare, by any means, but unusual.

This is not an easy variety to distinguish, particularly on more worn specimens.

1953 Obv 1 Obverse 1

I of LIZ some distance from corner

Corner to one side of H of BETH

Shallow portrait		 1953 Obv 1
1953 Obv 2 Obverse 2

I of LIZ closer to corner

Corner more central to H of BETH

recut portrait		 1953 Obv 2

1954

1954 1954

1955

1955 1955

1956

1956 1956

1957

1957 1957

1958

1958 1958

1959

1959 1959

1960

1960 1960

1961

1961 1961

1962

1962 1962

1963

1963 1963

1964

1964 1964

1965

1965 1965

1966

1966 1966

1967

1967 1967