1917-M Threepence

The 1917-M Threepence was the second of its series to be produced at the Melbourne Mint in Australia. The total mintage for the piece was 3,808,500 which quite typical for the series. Collectors will find this a quite affordable year with mint-state examples obtainable in the low hundreds. In higher mint-states the year can be become very valuable but remains more affordable than similar grades in most earlier years.

Melbourne 'M' mint-mark on a 1917-M threepence.

In late 1917 it was decided that the production of Australia's coinage would be shifted from Britain to Australia. New dies for the Australian Shilling, Florin, Sixpence, and Threepence were produced in London for use at the Melbourne Mint with a small 'M' mint-mark. Arrangements were also made for Australia's bronze coinage to be struck at the Royal Mint in Calcutta. The production of Silver Coinage at the Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint began on the 12th of January 1916.