3 Pence - Elizabeth II 1st portrait

Features

Issuer	South Africa
Queen	Elizabeth II (1952-1961)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1953-1960
Value	3 Pence (1⁄80)
Currency	Pound (1825-1961)
Composition	Silver (.500) (50%Ag, 50%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# 9244
References	KM# 47 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). , Hern# S152-159 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

Young laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, legend around, engraver's initials on truncation.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ELIZABETH II REGINA
M.G.

Translation: Queen Elizabeth II

Engraver: Mary Gillick

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.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
SOUTH AFRICA·1959·SUID-AFRIKA
K G
3D.

Engraver: George Kruger Gray

Edge

Plain

Mint

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

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC	References		Frequency
Undetermined
1953	5 487 824	$ 2.80	$ 2.80	$ 3.30	$ 4.20	$ 5.80			Hern# S152 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%
1953	5 000							$ 3.10	Hern# S152 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	1.2%
1954	3 901 269	$ 1.90	$ 1.90	$ 3.00	$ 3.50	$ 3.50	$ 3.50		Hern# S153 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.		25%
1954	3 150								Hern# S153 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	0.9%
1955	4 722 741	$ 2.30	$ 2.30	$ 2.30	$ 3.70	$ 5.80			Hern# S154 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.		28%
1955	2 850							$ 4.00	Hern# S154 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	1.0%
1956	6 190 598	$ 3.00	$ 3.00	$ 3.20	$ 3.60	$ 4.50	$ 8.40	$ 110	Hern# S155 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%
1956	1 700								Hern# S155 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	1.1%
1957	1 893 736	$ 4.90	$ 4.90	$ 4.90	$ 7.10	$ 7.50			Hern# S156 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.		16%
1957	1 130								Hern# S156 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	0.4%
1958	3 227 748	$ 3.40	$ 3.40	$ 3.40	$ 3.40	$ 4.40	$ 4.40	$ 4.40	Hern# S157 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%
1958	985								Hern# S157 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	0.5%
1959	2 553 309	$ 3.70	$ 3.70	$ 3.70	$ 3.70	$ 4.40	$ 4.80	$ 4.80	Hern# S158 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.		32%
1959								$ 3.70	Hern# S158 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.	no 'KG' on reverse	3%
1959	950								Hern# S158 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	0.7%
1960	21 364							$ 51	Hern# S159 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.		4%
1960	3 360								Hern# S159 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	1.0%

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: 8 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 1.65 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: 0.023 oz

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

)

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Katz Auction 80 Lot 1037	5 Apr 2023	1956 – Hern# S155	UNC	USD 111.34 (EUR 96.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions A Special Selection of World Coins Monthly Internet Auction 271912 Lot 36810	24 Mar 2019	1956 – Hern# S155	UNC (NGC MS65)	USD 132.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Katz PREMIUM AUCTION 165 Lot 1033	30 Aug 2025	1958 – Hern# S157	UNC	USD 208.77 (EUR 180.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232352 Lot 64423	21 Dec 2023	1960 – Hern# S159	UNC (NGC MS66)	USD 49.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions A Special Selection of World Coins Monthly Internet Auction 271912 Lot 36812	24 Mar 2019	1960 – Hern# S159	UNC (NGC MS67)	USD 156.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Katz Auction 171 Lot 2892	10 Oct 2025	Undetermined	UNC	USD 16.24 (EUR 14.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions A Special Selection of World Coins Monthly Internet Auction 271912 Lot 36811	24 Mar 2019	Undetermined	UNC (NGC MS67)	USD 336.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions