Sixpence (Tanner)

In 2016 a hoard of English silver coins, buried during the Civil War (1642-1651) was discovered in Ewerby, Lincolnshire. They were declared and are thus legal for you to own. They were put up for auction and we bought all the Elizabeth I Silver Sixpences at the auction. It is normal to find earlier coins in a hoard from the date it was buried, as they were buried to protect the hoard and the owner. We bought the Sixpences because that is one coin of Elizabeth I that has a date on it. Elizabeth I Silver Sixpences are dated between 1560 and 1602 and while having seen a lot of circulation they are struck in good silver. Don’t forget these coins are between 420-460 years old and are real British Treasure. The sixpence is great because it has a date on it and is also great for weddings, where the bride should carry a sixpence in her shoe. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe. In the days of Elizabeth I, you could get by for about a week if you had a sixpence. It was real money at the time. We offer these coins in five different grades. Each coin comes with a certificate of authenticity. Supplies are limited.

The obverse has a reasonable impression of the portrait but will have flat areas. The reverse usually has a complete shield and date.

Coins are occasionally clipped. The obverse portrait will be worn out but legends are readable. The reverse will usually have a clear impression of the shield and date.

When Elizabeth I (1558-1603) ascended the throne in 1558, she boldly set about improving the quality of England’s coinage following the debasement of silver under her father Henry VIII. Throughout her reign, large quantities of silver coins were produced, and much of the silver was obtained from raiding Spanish ships. Many silver denominations were produced under Elizabeth’s reign, from the Rare Crowns and Halfcrowns, the mass-produced shillings and sixpences, and the more unusual small denominations — groats, threepences, half-groats, three-halfpence, pennies, three-farthings, and halfpenny. The silver sixpence was one of the most popular denominations. They feature a portrait of the Queen facing left with Tudor rose behind, the reverse features a long cross fourchée over quartered shield of arms, with the date above (1560-1601), and Latin legend reading “I Have Made God My Helper”. We are delighted to offer you Elizabeth I sixpences from the Tower Mint in London. Each is in Very Good condition with a clear depiction of the Queen. These are fantastic coins, each is over 420 years old, struck in Sterling Silver, and bears the portrait of Elizabeth I. Perfect for your growing Elizabeth I Collection. The coins are all dated on the reverse, because of the thinness of the planchet the designs are not struck up as well as modern coins. But they were issued in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

A very bright coin.

In 1887 Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee 1837-1887, so for the first time in 50 years she allowed the design of the coinage to be changed. The Sixpence had a shield on the reverse, which didn’t work at all. Crooks were gold plating them and passing them off as Half Sovereigns. So later in the year they changed the reverse and added a value within the wreath. We have a nice group of choice examples of both types of Jubilee Sixpences with the wreath reverse and the shield reverse. The coins are in Choice Uncirculated condition and are getting more and more difficult to find.

In 1887 Queen Victoria allowed the Royal Mint to change her portrait on the coinage. After all, it was her Jubilee Year and they had used her Young Head portrait since 1838. The new coins came into being, along with a new denomination, the Double Florin in 1887. We have a nice little lot of the silver Shield Sixpence coins in rather choice condition. They would look great in your collection.

And a better date.

With wonderful underlying brilliance.

Jubilee Head Sixpence Very Good

Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and in 1838 they issued her first coinage. Because she was so young when she became Queen, this new coinage became known as Young Head Coins. In 1887 when she celebrated her Gold Jubilee, she finally allowed her portrait to be changed on the coins, this new portrait became known as the Jubilee Head Coinage. It only lasted from 1887 until 1892 when it was again changed. We have spent years accumulating enough 1887 Jubilee Head coins in high grades to offer them to you. All are struck in Sterling Silver and all are dated 1887 the first year of this new coinage. For years collectors have assumed that these coins are common. But in fact, in the higher grades these coins have become very difficult to find. Prices while they have risen are still very affordable, especially when you think that they are 131 years old. On offer here is a Victoria 1887 sixpence featuring wreath in gem uncirculated grade.

Gem Uncirculated wonderful toning

Choice Uncirculated

With most brilliance, very nice.

In our opinion, the Old Head or Widow Head but of Queen Victoria is the most underappreciated of the three different busts made during her reign. Here we offer the Old Head Sixpence in Uncirculated conditon. Dates will be of our choice.

In 1893 a new portrait of Queen Victoria was used on the coins. Officially it was the Widow Head Type, unofficially it was known as the Old Head coinage. We think that after over 60 years on the Throne, Old Head is much more of an appropriate term to use. For some reason, one that we just don’t know, the sixpence is the most difficult coin to obtain. Maybe because it was one of the smallest values and actually was used in day-to-day transactions, maybe something else. All we know is the Queen Victoria Old Head Sixpence is not an easy coin to find. The coins on offer are struck in Sterling Silver and are in Very Good condition. They will date from 1893-to 1901. The more you order, the more different dates we will try to give you but remember these coins are not easy to find.

In our opinion, the Old Head or Widow Head but of Queen Victoria is the most underappreciated of the three different busts made during her reign. Here we offer the Old Head Sixpence in VG. Dates will be of our choice.

In the whole Young Head series of Queen Victorian coins, the one that we have the most difficulty in getting is the Sixpence. It was struck for years and years (1838-1887), but for some reason, this is one type coin that always seems to be missing. We have a small group of these Sterling Silver Sixpences, dates will be of our choice, but the more coins you order, the more different dates we will try and give you. They are available in Very Good.