The scarcest date in the Elizabeth II series, the 1954 threepence was the last threepence to bear the legend omitting FIDEI DEF ( defender of the faith ). Coming from a relatively small mintage of just over 2 and a half million coins, the 1954 is very difficult to acquire in mint state despite its apparent abundance in the market place. In reality, very few commercial uncirculated examples of the date are genuinely mint state as no rolls or hoards have surfaced. Thankfully the date is almost always well struck up, occasionally with a proof-like finish which does allow for higher mint state grades though the surfaces are usually covered in hairlines precluding higher gradings.