Seventy Years ago, in 1954, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Portcullis 'Thru’penny Bit' made its debut. Now, in 2024, it makes a return as a solid gold coin under the reign of King Charles III

On February 15th, 1971, Britain’s currency went decimal. Back then, it was referred to as ‘Decimal Day’ (D-Day for short). In a stroke, the shilling of twelve pence & the pound of twenty shillings were gone, replaced by a ‘new’ pound of exactly one hundred ‘new pence’. To welcome this change, a brand new set of coins was minted, from the little halfpenny to the big 50p, but there was no room in this lineup for what had become the nation’s favourite coin — the chunky 12-sided brass ‘Thru’penny Bit’.  Still today, many people still say that the 3d is their favourite British coin.

Now, under King Charles III, the nation's favourite coin gains a new chapter

As a tribute to Britain’s pre-decimal heritage, this special-edition 'Thru’penny Bit' offers a unique chance to own a piece of coinage history that connects generations. Struck in solid gold, with its classic 12-sided shape and iconic Portcullis design, it evokes a sense of nostalgia for older generations while giving younger collectors insight into British history.  Notably, this marks the first time King Charles III’s effigy appears on this legendary coin, symbolically linking the reigns of Queen Elizabeth II and her successor.

Crafted in Solid Gold, A Classic Design is Reimagined for a New Era

The Thru’penny Bit’ was one of the most instantly recognisable coins of our pre-decimal days. Its iconic Portcullis motif, a symbol of strength and protection, has graced British coins for centuries and was first introduced on the Threepence 70 years ago in 1954. In this modern strike, the portcullis has been reimagined with intricate detailing that showcases the advancements in minting technology, ensuring the design is both historically accurate and visually stunning. Although the threepence coin was retired in 1971 with decimalisation, its legacy remains strong. Reminding us of an era when a packet of biscuits or a block of butter cost less than two shillings, and Britain had ‘never had it so good', this little coin connects us to our past and to happy memories! 

A coin of yesterday updated for the 21st century — contains over one gram of pure gold!

The pre-decimal thruppenny bit, celebrated for its twelve sides, Portcullis design, and golden hues, has undergone a transformation. Today, it is reimagined in solid gold, and its denomination has been updated to 'new pence' to reflect our modern decimal age! Approved by Buckingham Palace, the obverse features the portrait of King Charles III by Jody Clark. It was, of course, Jody Clark who crafted the fifth and final portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II that circulated on British coinage since 2015. Blending royal tradition with contemporary craftsmanship, this remarkable coin serves as a reminder of the incredible changes we’ve witnessed since it last jingled in our pockets, particularly in the art and science of minting. The special one-year-only striking of the ‘Thru’penny Bit’ has been minted on state-of-the-art presses to the highest quality PROOF finish, which simply wasn’t possible 50 years ago. It truly is a coin of yesterday, reimagined for the 21st century.

Order the first-ever King Charles III ‘Thru’penny Bit’ today! 

Available exclusively from Heritage Coins and strictly limited to 2,024 coins worldwide, each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and History Booklet. With its rich blend of tradition and royal transition, the King Charles III ‘Thru’penny Bit’ will appeal to both seasoned and younger collectors — a tangible reminder of Britain’s evolving coinage and royal lineage offering a unique piece of history that should never be forgotten.