THRUPP-NEE BIT

It was a bit damp today so I decided I would try my hand at some indoor macro work.

The British threepence (3d) coin, usually simply known as a threepence or threepenny bit, was a unit of currency equaling one eightieth of a pound sterling. The sum of three pence was pronounced variously throop-pence, threep-pence, or thrup-pence, reflecting different pronunciations in the various regions and nations of the United Kingdom. Likewise, the coin was often referred to in conversation as a throop-nee, threpp-nee or thrupp-nee or bit. Before Decimal Day in 1971 there were two hundred and forty pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), pronounced "three and six". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence, e.g. eight pence would be 8d.

A new £1 coin is to be introduced in 2017. The move comes amid concerns about the 30-year-old coin's vulnerability to counterfeiting, with an estimated 45 million forgeries in circulation. The new coin is based on the design of the old threepenny bit, a 12-sided coin in circulation between 1937 and 1971.