The 12-sided threepenny coin is fondly remembered for its individuality as it was the first non-circular coin milled since coins were introduced in Britain in the 2nd c. BCE.

Its predecessor, the ‘Joey’, was a small silver threepence which was often lost or dropped. In 1937 the new design was planned for the coinage of Edward VIII but his short-lived reign meant that only a dozen trial pieces were produced with his effigy. The unconventional shape and thickness of the new brass threepence made it easy to identify in loose change and proved to be very popular.

The original reverse design features a thrift plant as the government was heavily encouraging saving money at that time. The coin was adopted into the coinage of Queen Elizabeth II and as the British economy began its recovery after the war, the thrift plant was replaced with a portcullis. The thrup’ny bit was withdrawn in 1971 after the introduction of decimal coinage which didn’t include Three Pence as a denomination. However, it is still widely regarded as one of the most original and iconic coins in British history.

These cheddar cheese thrup’ny bits are the love child of a cheese cracker and a shortbread that’s been set on fire using some leftover cheese, flour and odds and sods of spices in the pantry. They're crisp, flaky, buttery, hot, spicy and very cheesy as I have used extra mature Cheddar.

Super simple to make, can adapt flavourings to your taste and can freeze and bake when you wish. #CookpadApron2026