3 Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait

Rhodesia's coinage in 1968 existed under a government the international community had formally refused to recognize. Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence in November 1965 triggered UN mandatory sanctions — the first in the organization's history — yet the Rhodesian mint continued producing currency as though none of it had happened. Britain had declared all Rhodesian coins and notes illegal tender, a position that made no practical difference to anyone shopping in Salisbury.

The 3 pence denomination itself was already an anachronism by this point, abandoned by Britain in 1971 and destined for removal from Rhodesian circulation not long after.