12 SEPTEMBER 1940, Page 13

SIR,—An explanation of the greater use of threepenny pieces in

Scot- land was given me a few years ago by a Professor of Currency and Finance who was in close touch with the Bank of England and the Treasury. This was that the Mint sent large quantities of threepenny pieces to Scottish banks to save carriage on the corresponding amount of copper coins. An interesting sidelight on the use of this coin in the two countries is that a Scots shop assistant will apologise for giving fourpence or fivepence in coppers, whilst in England the shop assistant offers a threepenny piece in change with an apology.—Yours faithfully, W. B. WILSON. 49 Park Road, Mexborough, Yorks.