Threepence

New Zealand threepence have a few well known and catalogued varieties in the 1955 two dots on shoulder, 1956 Strapless and the 1957 87 dots The New Zealand Threepence is also well know for many Die cracking errors due to the number of these they will be listed one day but with over 300 different die cracking faults from 1947 to 1965 this might take a while

1933

Torn Robe Die Cracks

#1

#2

#3

#4

1934

Torn Robe Die Cracks

#1

#2

#3

#4

Die Cracks

1935

Julian Brook published an article regarding the date differences in the 1935 threepence where he identified 2 varieties with errors

Wide Date – No Crack (rarest according to the article)

Narrow Date – No Die Crack (most common)

Wide Date 2 Die Cracks

Wide Date 1 Die Crack

Torn Robe Die Crack

1936

Torn Robe Die Cracks

#1

#2

Die Cracks

1937

1939

1940

1941

In Roy Lester’s Guide to New Zealand Coins and Varieties he lists 4 date varieties of the 1941 3d

Normal Date figures, Date figures 41 close, Date figures 41 wide. Dot is close to 41, Date figures 41 wide. Dot is further from 41

: Click for Animation

1942

: Type A – Normal

: Type B – Close 2 – High Dot

: Type C – Close 2 – Low Dot

: Type D – One Dot

1943

1944

1945

5 Date varieties listed in Roy Lesters Guide to New Zealand Coins and Varieties and I still have not identified all of them in my collection as yet but here are some I have found

1946

3 Date varieties listed in Roy Lesters Guide to New Zealand Coins and Varieties

1948

4. Die Crack on W of New & between LA of Zealand – Slipped Die on Obverse

1950

Second lowest mintage with only 800,000 produced.

1. Die Crack Left Patu

2. Die Crack Right Patu

3. Small metal cud in left Patu handle

1953

Threepence Beads Varieties

Below is a comparison between 86, 87 & 88 Bead (dot) varieties on nz 3ds

Note that

1956 with strap & some 1957 have 86 Beads

Some 1957 & all 1958 – 1965 Have 87 Beads

1953, 54, 55 & 56 strapless Have 88 Beads

1954

19. Die Cracks Right Patu and 2nd “A” of Zealand, T of the , N of Second & Under Queen

1955

Two Dots on Shoulder

Broken Nose

As these dies started to wear small cracks to the letters appeared. Note that this is a later example of the dies that faulted not all coins will show all of these cracks but having the die cracks helps confirm this is the correct error. From the coins I have the first cracks appeared on this die after the broken nose and the reverse faulted first then the E on the obverse

NOTE: This Die Clash error should show no signs of the line between the forehead and nose when tilted on an angle.

1956

Strap (86 Beads) Standard Variety

Strapless (88 Beads) Variety

Strapless with Die Cracks

Die Crack O of Second

1957

Normal 87 Dots

87 Dots Doubled Obverse Die

Variety 86 Dots

The easiest way to compare is to line up the D of Second to see what variety you have. Please also note that the 86 beads (type B) is the scarcer and more valuable as there has been some misprints in catalogues over the years

Comparison

: 86 Beads “Lester type B”

: 87 Beads “Lester type A”

: Comparison 86 & 87 Beads Variety

86 Dots

86 Dots + Die Crack #1

86 Dots + Planchet Fault

This coin blank was damaged before it was stuck

1958

1959

1961

Filled Dots in Left Patu handle

: Filled Patu Type 1

: Filled Patu Type 2

1964

Die Clash

Die Clash more obvious on the Obverse showing the outline of the Patu . This fault often starts with a obvious line under the Queens Ear that is present on a number of years but this is only the second 1964 coin I have found to show this extent of a die clash.

Filled Patu

Left

Right Type 1

Right Type 2

Die Cracks

Die Crack through 9 of date

H of the to rim + Signs of die clash

1965

Die Clash

Die Clash more obvious on the Obverse showing the outline of the Patu and 96. This fault often starts with a obvious line under the Queens Ear that is present on a number of years but this is only the second 1965 coin I have found to show this extent of a die clash.