3 Pence - George V Reverse Trial

Trial pieces for British West Africa were produced at the Royal Mint as internal assessments of new compositions or designs before committing to full production runs. This tin brass example from 1920 predates the eventual aluminum bronze coinage and represents one of several alloy experiments the Mint conducted for the West African currency board during this period. Tin brass was ultimately rejected — corrosion resistance in humid tropical climates was a known concern, and the colonial administration demanded longevity from low-denomination circulation coinage.

Fewer than a handful of examples are recorded.