Rare ChangeAU

RARE CHANGE / COINS / PLATE 23 · 3D · 1922 · MELBOURNE

1922/21 threepence overdate, and what it's worth

The Australian George V threepence dated 1922 that was struck from a reworked 1921 die, so a 1 still shows under the last 2 of the date.

Typical sale · Good to Very Goodn = 5

A genuine one, heavily worn

$3,200

Middle half of sales $3,000 to $4,200. Lowest $2,600, highest $5,200.

Hammer prices (before buyer's fees) from 8 single-item sales at Noble Numismatics and Downies, 2017 to 2024. Updated 30 Oct 2026.

Prices by condition

AUD

Worn coins sell for less. Find the row that looks most like yours.

Heavily wornGood to Very Good · 5 sales

$3,200

WornFine · 2 sales

Too few sales for a fair price

Barely wornExtremely Fine · 1 sale

Too few sales for a fair price

Line: lowest to highest sale. Box: the middle half of sales. Dot: the median, half sold for more and half for less.

Recent sales

Hammer
DateConditionAuctionPrice
8 Apr 2024 Worn Noble $8,500
27 Mar 2023 Heavily worn Noble $3,000
30 Aug 2021 Barely worn Noble $43,000
17 Apr 2018 Heavily worn Noble $3,200
21 Nov 2017 Heavily worn Noble $2,600
25 Jul 2017 Heavily worn Noble $4,200

How to check yours

Each letter on the drawing marks where to look. A magnifying glass or your phone's zoom helps.

Front (head side)
GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP:
Back
THREEPENCE1922BA

  1. Can you see the upright stroke of a 1 under or inside the final 2 of the date?

    The last digit of the date at the bottom of the reverse
    YES
    A straight upright stroke shows through the last 2 of 1922.
    NO
    The final 2 is clean, with no trace of another digit.

  2. Is there a small raised lump of metal where the kangaroo's legs join?

    The point where the kangaroo's legs meet on the reverse
    YES
    A small raised dot or lump sits at the join of the kangaroo's legs.
    NO
    The legs join cleanly with no raised lump.
Check mine from a photo

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Record

Face value
3d
Year
1922
Mint
Melbourne
  • The Melbourne Mint made it from a 1921 threepence die that was reworked for use in 1922. [1][3]
  • The Melbourne Mint still held 1921 threepence dies in early 1922. [1][2]
  • Why the die was reworked is still debated. [1][2]
  • About 900 examples are thought to exist. [1][3][2]
  • Most known examples are heavily worn. [1][3][2]
  • It is 16 mm across. [3][1]

Questions

How much is a 1922/21 threepence overdate worth?

A genuine 1922/21 threepence overdate in heavily worn condition (Good to Very Good) has typically sold for $3,200 at Australian auctions, with the middle half of sales between $3,000 and $4,200. Better-preserved examples sell for more.

How do I know if my 1922/21 threepence overdate is genuine?

Work through the checks above. They cover what genuine examples show and what altered or different versions don't. A photo can't prove a coin or note is genuine, so for a valuable find, ask a professional numismatist or a grading service before you sell.

Should I clean it?

No. Cleaning leaves fine scratches that collectors spot at once, and cleaned coins and notes sell for much less. Keep it as it is, in a paper envelope or a coin holder.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from at least two independent sources. Prices come from our own record of auction results.

  1. Australia George V 1922/21 Overdate Threepence Good-Very Good, read 29 Oct 2026
  2. Australia's rarest circulation coin, the 1922/21 Threepence, read 29 Oct 2026
  3. Australian Threepence 1922, read 29 Oct 2026