3 Pence - George VI Rex Imperator

Features

Issuer	South Africa
King	George VI (1936-1952)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1937-1947
Value	3 Pence (1⁄80)
Currency	Pound (1825-1961)
Composition	Silver (.800) (80%Ag, 20%Cu)
Weight	1.414 g
Diameter	16.3 mm
Thickness	0.99 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	31 March 1961
Number	N# 2884
References	KM# 26 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). , Hern# S136-146 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

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Obverse

Uncrowned portrait of King George VI left, legend around. engraver's initials under truncation.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
GEORGIVS VI REX IMPERATOR
HP

Translation: George VI King Emperor

Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget

Reverse

A Protea, a flower native to South Africa, surrounded with 3 groups of bars, date above, legend around, denomination below, engraver's initials either side of stem.
(Note: varieties exist, see below)

Script: Latin

Lettering:
SOUTH·AFRICA·1937·SUID·AFRIKA
K G
3D.

Engraver: George Kruger Gray

Edge

Plain

Mint

Pretoria, South Africa (1890-1902, 1923-1992)

Comments

During the war years (1939-45), it is possible to find coins without the engraver's initials on the reverse.

The 1945 coins are also found with an overstruck date 1945/3. There are also the 1945/3 with a die crack.

The 1945 gap between the date numerals 4 & 5 is greater than normal.

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC	References		Frequency
Undetermined
1937	3 576 175	$ 2.90	$ 3.60	$ 3.60	$ 4.40	$ 5.60			Hern# S136 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		19%
1937	116								Hern# S136 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.3%
1938	2 394 345	$ 3.00	$ 3.00	$ 3.00	$ 4.20	$ 6.50			Hern# S137 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		14%
1938	44								Hern# S137 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.3%
1939	3 223 710	$ 3.20	$ 3.70	$ 3.70	$ 3.80	$ 6.70	$ 6.70		Hern# S138 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		17%
1939	30								Hern# S138 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.3%
1940	4 886 545	$ 2.90	$ 3.00	$ 4.20	$ 5.50	$ 6.90			Hern# S139 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		22%
1941	8 967 591	$ 2.70	$ 3.30	$ 3.90	$ 5.00	$ 5.80	$ 6.40	$ 11	Hern# S140 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		34%
1942	8 055 784	$ 2.90	$ 3.30	$ 3.30	$ 6.30	$ 6.30	$ 6.30		Hern# S141 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		30%
1943	14 828 046	$ 3.00	$ 3.20	$ 3.60	$ 4.50	$ 6.70	$ 6.70	$ 6.70	Hern# S142 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		38%
1943	104								Hern# S142 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.6%
1944	3 331 170	$ 3.40	$ 3.40	$ 3.40	$ 6.50	$ 6.50			Hern# S143 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		10%
1944	150								Hern# S143 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.2%
1945	4 094 624			$ 4.80	$ 5.80	$ 5.80	$ 5.80		Hern# S144 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		19%
1945									Hern# S144 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	1943/5 overdate	1.2%
1945	150								Hern# S144 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.3%
1946	2 218 805	$ 2.80	$ 2.80	$ 2.80	$ 4.90	$ 5.10			Hern# S145 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		12%
1946	150								Hern# S145 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.2%
1947	1 130 093	$ 3.80	$ 3.80	$ 3.80	$ 6.50				Hern# S146 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.		7%
1947	2 600								Hern# S146 Brian Hern, Peter Wilson (ed.), Henk Loots (ed.); 2017. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9^th Edition). Gary Levitan, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa.	Proof	0.6%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 6 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 2.65 Search tips

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 2338 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Actual silver weight: 0.036 oz

Current silver price: 72.73 USD/oz (see silver price

)

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Heritage Auctions 2025 September 15 Spotlight: South Africa World Coins featuring The Gatsby Collection of South African Coinage Showcase Auction 61548 Lot 24091	15 Sep 2025	1937 – Hern# S136	UNC	The lot includes several items.
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions 2025 September 15 Spotlight: South Africa World Coins featuring The Gatsby Collection of South African Coinage Showcase Auction 61548 Lot 24092	15 Sep 2025	1941 – Hern# S140	UNC	The lot includes several items.
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232224 Lot 63597	9 Jun 2022	1945 – Hern# S144 – Proof	UNC (NGC PR67)	USD 186.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Katz Auction 194 Lot 1340	15 May 2026	1947 – Hern# S146	UNC	USD 146.14 (EUR 126.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.