The threepence (3d) (Irish: leath reul) coin was an Irish pre-decimal coin and a great favourite of golfers who often used it as a green marker. There were 4 threepences to a shilling and 80 to an old pound. The Irish name (leath reul) literally meant “half a sixpence” and, unlike many other Irish coins of the time, it did not resemble the UK sixpence, i.e. it was a different size and composition.
- Originally it was struck in nickel and was very hard-wearing – compared to the softer UK silver threepence which, up until 1946 comprised 50% silver, 40% copper, 10% nickel.
- In 1942, as nickel became more valuable due to war shortages, the metal was changed to cupro-nickel, i.e. 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- The design remained the same, despite the UK introducing a new threepence in 1937 – a much larger and heavier nickel-brass (79% copper, 20% zinc, 1% nickel) twelve-sided threepence coin and gradually phased out the small silver threepence from 1947 onwards.
The Irish threepence measured 0.695 inches (17.7 mm) in diameter and weighed 3.23995 grams; this did not change with cupro-nickel coin. As with all other Irish coins, the Irish threepence was minted at the Royal Mint from 1928 to 1968, and ceased to be legal tender after Decimalisation Day in February 1971.
Similar to the other seven Irish Free State coins, the Irish threepence was designed by the English artist Percy Metcalfe.
1928-35 Irish Threepence (obverse + reverse design). The designs used on the first coins of 1928 featured quite a few modifications to the original pattern submitted by Metcalfe. This was done to improve metal flow and other mechanical coin production reasons.
The obverse featured the Irish harp. From 1928 through 1937 the date was split either side of the harp with the name Saorstát Éireann circling around. Saorstát threepences were only minted in four dates (years).
| Irish Free State | |
| 1928 | 1,500,000 |
| 1933 | 320,000 |
| 1934 | 800,000 |
| 1935 | 240,000 |
The Irish threepence, especially the nickel issues (1928-1940), are very difficult to grade in the higher grades – especially between EF (extremely fine) and Unc. (uncirculated) since the metal is hard-wearing and not prone to corrosion.
Coins in Uncirculated condition should have
- a mint bloom on the surface
- sharp details on the hare’s whiskers.
From 1939 through 1968 the inscription changed to Éire on the left of the harp and the date on the right.
1939-67 Irish Threepence (obverse + reverse design)
| Republic of Ireland | |
| 1939 | 64,000 |
| 1940 | 720,000 |
| 1942 | 4,000,000 |
| 1943 | 1,360,000 |
| 1946 | 800,000 |
| 1948 | 1,600,000 |
| 1949 | 1,200,000 |
| 1950 | 1,600,000 |
| 1953 | 1,600,000 |
| 1956 | 1,200,000 |
| 1961 | 2,400,000 |
| 1962 | 3,200,000 |
| 1963 | 4,000,000 |
| 1964 | 4,000,000 |
| 1965 | 3,600,000 |
| 1966 | 4,000,000 |
| 1967 | 2,400,000 |
| 1968 | 4,000,000 |
______________________________________________________
Related Articles
Irish Pre-Decimal Coins (1928-1969)
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Farthing
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Halfpenny
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Penny
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Threepence
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Sixpence
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Shilling
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Florin
- O’Brien Coin Price Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Halfcrown
If you found this article useful, please connect to me on LinkedIn and endorse some of my skills.
Alternatively, please connect or follow my coin and banknote image gallery on Pinterest.
Or, follow me on Twitter (I post daily)
Thank you
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 
Pingback: My journey with the Irish Hare - Sacred Woman