Mintage (1925)
~358,000 (both types combined)
Metal
0.800 Silver, 1.41 g, 16.3 mm
Engravers
MacKennal (obv), Kruger Gray (rev)
Mint
Royal Mint, Pretoria
The 1925 Threepence Design Change
A key variety in Union coinage – two distinct reverse designs exist for the same year, making 1925 a fascinating date for collectors. The first issues (1923-25) had a numeric reverse, then switched to a protea flower reverse for 1925-36.
Key Facts
- Total mintage (1925): 357,584 or 358,000
- Silver content: .800 fine until 1930, .500 thereafter
- First design: numeric "3" in mimosa wreath
- Second design: protea flower (native to South Africa)
- Rare MS63 first design sold for $3,995 (2016)
Background – The Transition
In 1925, the South African Mint (then a branch of the Royal Mint) revised the reverse designs of several denominations. The threepence was among them, and both the old and new designs were struck during the year, creating two distinct varieties.
The threepence was struck in South Africa from 1923 to 1960. It was .800 fine silver until 1930 and .500 fine thereafter . The first issues (1923-25) had a numeric reverse, then switched to a protea flower reverse for 1925-36 . The numeric reverse is the scarcer of the two for 1925.
The coin was minted at the Royal Mint branch in Pretoria, Dominion South Africa (1923~1941) ]. The obverse was designed by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, the reverse by George Kruger Gray ].
First Design – Numeric Reverse (1923–1925)
Obverse
- Crowned portrait of King George V facing left
- Legend: "GEORGIUS V REX IMPERATOR"
- Designer's initials "B.M." (Bertram MacKennal) on truncation
Reverse
- Wreath of mimosa encircling the figure "3"
- Inscription: "SOUTH AFRICA • 1925 • ZUID AFRIKA"
- Value "3 PENCE" at bottom
- Designer's initials "K G" (Kruger Gray) below wreath
Catalog references: KM-15A; Hern-S123
Second Design – Protea Reverse (1925–1930)
Obverse
- Crowned portrait of King George V facing left
- Legend: "GEORGIUS V REX IMPERATOR"
- Designer's initials "B.M." (Bertram MacKennal) on truncation
Reverse
- A Protea flower, native to South Africa, surrounded with 3 lines
- The flower is inside a triangle of 3 bundles of poles ]
- Inscription: "SOUTH AFRICA • 1925 • ZUID AFRIKA"
- Value "3 PENCE" at bottom
- Designer's initials "K G" (Kruger Gray) on stem of flower ]
Catalog references: KM-15.1; Hern S124-129 (1925-1930 issues)
Technical Specifications (Both Types)
- Weight: 1.414 g
- Diameter: 16.3 mm
- Thickness: 0.99 mm
- Composition: Silver (.800 fine)
- Silver content: 0.8 g (80%)
- Edge: Plain / smooth
- Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Mintage Figures
The 1925 threepence had a total mintage of approximately 358,000 pieces (including both types) . This is significantly lower than subsequent years, making 1925 the key date of the series:
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1925 | 357,584 |
| 1926 | 1,572,059 |
| 1927 | 2,284,964 |
| 1928 | 919,390 |
| 1929 | 1,947,895 |
| 1930 | 980,718 |
| Total (1925-1930) | 8,063,030 ] |
The 1925 issue had the lowest mintage of the entire series, making it the key date for collectors.
Rarity & Collector Values
Auction Records
- August 2016 (Stack's Bowers ANA): A 1925 threepence, "Wreath Reverse (better type)", NGC MS-63, sold for $3,995. The catalog description noted: "A choice lustrous example with almond color tone clinging to the devices. The numeric reverse is the scarcer of the two for 1925, tho this specimen realized eight times the catalog value."
- April 2020 (Noonans): A 1925 threepence (type 1) sold as part of a lot with other George V coins for £70 (approx. $90) – the individual coin value estimated at £40-50 .
Estimated Market Values
| Variety | Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| First design (numeric) | VF (Very Fine) | $40–60 |
| EF (Extremely Fine) | $80–120 | |
| UNC (Uncirculated) | $200–300+ | |
| Second design (protea) | VF | $20–30 |
| EF | $40–60 | |
| UNC | $100–150 |
The wide price range in the 2016 auction ($3,995 for an MS63 first design) demonstrates the premium that high-grade examples of the scarcer variety can command.
Notes for Collectors
- Distinguishing the varieties: The first design shows a clear numeric "3" inside a mimosa wreath. The second design features the distinctive protea flower, a native South African plant.
- Scarcity: The numeric reverse is considerably scarcer than the protea reverse for 1925, as the change occurred mid-year. Collectors should verify which variety they have.
- Condition: High-grade examples (MS63 or better) of the first design are extremely rare and command significant premiums, as evidenced by the $3,995 auction result.
- Authenticity: As with all South African silver coins, beware of cleaned examples – cleaning significantly reduces value.
Sources
- CoinVarieties.com. "South Africa 1925 3 pence KM-15A"
- NumizMarket. "Republik Südafrika George V. .800 Silber 3 Pence"
- Coin ID Scanner. "3 Pence - George V ZUID-AFRIKA 3 PENCE 1925-1930 South Africa Silver (.800)"
- Colnect. "Coin catalog › 3 Pence ("ZUID-AFRIKA - 3 PENCE")
- Noonans Mayfair. "The Collection of British Colonial Coins formed by the late John Roberts-Lewis" (22 April 2020)
- Stack's Bowers. "ANA Auction (Anaheim, CA, August 2016)"
- Hern, Brian, Bothma, John and Peterse, Hercie. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns.
- Krause-Mishler. Standard Catalog of World Coins.