1860 Hogarth and Erichsen Threepence PCGS AU50
One of Australia’s earliest silver threepences was privately issued by Messrs Julius Hogarth and Conrad Erichsen. Produced to meet local demand for small change, the most common type features a large “3” within a wreath of wattle on the reverse, modelled on the British threepence, whilst the obverse depicts a kangaroo, emu and Australian grass tree. The mintage remains unknown and, according to *Australasian Tokens and Coins* by Dr Arthur Andrews, Erichsen often struck coins at his own discretion. The silver quality was also frequently inferior to the British coin it sought to emulate, and many pieces had to be withdrawn. According to a number of sources, the tokens were minted in the inner west Sydney suburb of Leichhardt. Today, they are prized by coin collectors, Australiana connoisseurs, and historians alike. They are the closest Australia came to circulating small silver change in the high Victorian era, and they remain an important part of the nation’s pre-Federation history. Professional Coin Grading Service is the global leader in coin authentication and grading. With over 60 million coins graded and counting, PCGS is trusted by collectors, dealers, and investors to certify authenticity, protect value, and elevate market confidence. This is a direct conversion of the 70-point PCGS grade to a 10-point scale, intended to present the grade in a more intuitive format for newer collectors. It is not our personal opinion or an attempt at regrading the coin to a different standard. To understand how the 70-point scale converts to a 10-point scale, [click here](https://drakesterling.com/en/page/the-ten-point-coin-grading-scale).