Owner Comments:
Australia - 1942S 3 Pence - KM #37 - Serif "S", Normal first 4 in date Mintage 32,000,000
This coin was minted by the San Francisco mint for circulation in Australia during World War II. The primary reason these coins were minted was to satisfy the demand for coinage due to the large number of U.S. servicemen stationed in Australia at the time. The "S" mint mark appears on the far right of the reverse below the last 4 in the date.
The 1944S had a significantly higher mintage than any that had preceded it from a U.S. mint, and a higher mintage often lead to varieties. This one is know to have at least three varieties. Two styles of "S" mint mark are known to exist. The 1942S and some of the 1944S coins were struck with a simple "S" mint mark with no serifs. This coin however, was struck with the more refined "S" mint mark with serifs. Some coins with the more refined mint mark are also know to have a first 4 with a thicker down stroke which is quite apparent when compared to the second 4 in the date.
I purchased this coin raw in 2008, and it just never floated to the top as a grading candidate. I never found one already graded that I liked either, and I'm glad now that I finally got this one graded!
Varieties
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- Normal, simple "S" mint mark (same as on the 1942 and 1943 coins)
- More refined "S" mint mark with serifs. (this coin)
- More refined "S" mint mark with serifs and a thicker down stroke in the first 4 in the date.
Date acquired: 10/3/2008 (Raw Coin)
Date graded: 5/4/2023 (Self submitted to NGC)
Rev 5/13/2023