The Sixpence (6d) or Tanner as it is also known was first minted in 1551 during the reign of Edward VI and was last struck for everyday usage in 1967. It measures 19.3 mm and the coins minted before 1920 contain 92.5% of silver. After this date, from 1920 to 1946, they were minted with 50% silver. The most recent Tanner (1947-1967) was struck in cupronickel. In its day, it was one of the most well-liked coins. So well-liked in fact, that it was still legal tender until well after the decimalisation came into effect. The 6 Pence represented six pennies and many consider it to be a lucky coin...
Monarch: Elizabeth I 1558 - 1603 or George II 1727 - 1760 or George III 1760 - 1820 or George IV 1820 - 1830 or George V 1910 - 1936 or Elizabeth II 1952 - 2022
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.
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.
Anice example of a pre-decimal Elizabeth II Sixpence in Uncirculated condition. The Sixpence was the only coin that did not have a decimal equivalent that was allowed to still be used when decimal coins came in. That was because it was the price of a phone call in a call box and decimal coins were causing too many problems at that time.
The pre-decimal coinage of Queen Elizabeth II dated 1964 has always been difficult to get. Here we offer the 1964 Sixpence Unc. Supplies are limited in for a number of coins.
During the reign of King George II, the British and the Spanish were fighting. The British captured a number of Spanish ships laden with silver from their South American mines. King George II, to rub the Spanish King’s nose in it, had British coins struck with the word ‘Lima’ below his bust. This was to remind the Spanish king where the silver had come from. These Sterling Silver sixpences were all dated 1746 which makes them 278 years old. The coins are in Fine condition which considering their age is a very acceptable grade.
This Sterling Silver Sixpence was issued by King George II in 1757 and 1758 that means that it is now 260+ years old. The obverse has the mature bust of the King with long flowing hair and in a suit of armour. The reverse has four sets of crowned arms, England, Scotland, Ireland and France. Yes, we once owned part of France. The coins we offer are in Very Fine condition. If you want we can supply both dates, in either case these coins are 260+ years old. The Sixpence is often used at weddings to bring good luck to the bride. Nice coins with a lot of history offered in Very Fine.
This Sterling Silver Sixpence was issued by King George II in 1757 and 1758 which means that it is now 260+ years old. The obverse has the mature bust of the King with long flowing hair and in a suit of armour. The reverse has four sets of crowned arms, England, Scotland, Ireland and France. Ye,s we once owned part of France. The coins we offer are in Very Good or Fine condition, the earlier the order the better the coin you will be sent. If you want we can supply both dates, in either case these coins are 260+ years old. The Sixpence is often used at weddings to bring good luck to the bride. Nice coins with a lot of history, in Very Good or Fine. They would make an excellent wedding gift…
In 1816 there was the Currency Reform Act, which allowed coins to be struck even without the Monarch’s permission. This was put into place because of King George III’s illness and the shortage of small change. From 1816 on, new designs, new weights new everything. These are the first of the new Sterling Silver Sixpences issued from 1816-1820. You have the bullhead of the King on one side and a crowned shield on the other side. Even in this grade supplies are limited.
These George III Sterling Silver 1787 Sixpences were only struck for circulation for just one year, 1787. What is even more interesting is that they were struck for the Bank of England to give out to their favoured clients around Christmas. You have King George III in an armoured bust on the obverse and four crowns and four shields on the reverse. Today the Royal Mint is charging £95 in Fine. The reverse in some ways is even more interesting than the obverse. As you have the arms of England, Ireland, Scotland, Hanover and France. The coins on offer are very high grade and becoming very difficult to find these days. They are available in Extremely Fine. Remember that this coin is now over 230 years old and in very high quality.
Most will know about the illness of King George III, but most don’t know that because of that illness the King would not allow a law to make smaller coins to be passed. This of course caused a lot of problems with day-to-day commerce; there just were not enough small coins around to make change. There are only two silver coins struck before the Currency Reform Act of 1816, that are readily available to collectors: the George III Sixpence and the Shilling of 1787. There is a simple but almost unbelievable reason for this. These coins were struck at the Royal Mint from silver delivered from the Bank of England. The Bank decided that they would need some new shiny coins to give out to their clients at Christmas. So only the Bank of England had these silver coins, and they only handed them out during the Christmas period, and only to their wealthy clients. So now you have the whole history! You have King George III dressed in what looks like Roman armour, and on the reverse the arms of Hanover and France as well as England, Scotland, and Ireland. Back in 1787, you had to be somehow important to have one of these Sixpences, important enough to do business directly with the Bank of England, and someone they wanted to treat. We have selected some very high-quality examples of this beautiful and very important historical coin for your collection.
Before the Currency Reform Act of 1816 it was almost impossible to find a sixpence or shilling to use. Yes they did make a couple of dates but they are very expensive and very difficult to find. So these 1787 Sixpence are the only coins that you can find for your collection. They are struck in Sterling Silver. George III is dressed as a Roman Emperor on this coin, which look exactly the same except for their size difference. The reverses show the coat of arms of England, Ireland, France and Scotland. This Sixpence is far more important and difficult to get than most collectors realise. It was actually struck for the Bank of England to give out to their good customers at Christmas. Add one to your collection while you can… They were also used in Australia and are known there as Proclamation coins.
The Royal Mint are selling one Silver Sixpence, either George V of George VI, in a gift box for £26. We offer the SAME pair of coins, in display cases for JUST £14.95! Both the Royal Mint’s coins and Coincraft’s coins were struck in silver at the Royal Mint and are original and genuine. Would you rather pay the Royal Mint’s price of £26 for just one coin or our price of £14.95 for the pair? We think you would rather SAVE £37.05. Limit of 3 sets per collector at this price.
These 1936 silver sixpences have the portrait of King George V on them, but they have a far more interesting history. King George V died and his son became King Edward VIII and most of these Sixpences were struck during the reign of King Edward VIII. In December of that year Edward abdicated and his brother became King George VI. While the portrait is that of King George V who knows who was actually on the throne when they were struck. It is an interesting conundrum which will never be figured out.
We now have available a number of the dates of the King George V Silver Sixpences issued from 1920 to 1936. Here we offer the 1921 Sixpence in selected circulated condition
We now have available a number of the dates of the King George V Silver Sixpences issued from 1920 to 1936. Here we offer the 1922 Sixpence in selected circulated condition
We now have available a number of the dates of the King George V Silver Sixpences issued from 1920 to 1936. Here we offer the 1924 Sixpence in selected circulated condition
We now have available a number of the dates of the King George V Silver Sixpences issued from 1920 to 1936. Here we offer the 1925 Sixpence in selected circulated condition
In 1926 a Princess, now Queen Elizabeth II was born. Her grandfather King George V was on the throne at the time. The Sixpence was still being struck in silver. John Logie Baird demonstrated TV and the country had a terrible General Strike. For some reason the coins of 1926 are not easy to get. So we were very happy when we were offered a small group of the 1926 Silver Sixpence, a most useful and collected denomination. The coins are used, but in selected circulated condition. Honour our great Monarch, add a silver sixpence of her birth year to your collection. After all Queen Elizabeth II is the longest serving Monarch that this great nation has ever had.
People used to be very superstitious back in the old days of the middle ages. Then, it was customary for the Lord of the Manor to give a piece of silver as a wedding gift to his bride. The 6 Pence, which was minted in the late middle ages in silver, came to be the piece of silver used as a good luck charm at weddings. In more recent times, it became a tradition for Brides to wear the coin in one shoe.
Sixpence for Sale
We currently offer 6ds in different grades from the reigns of several British Monarchs. If you wish to start a collection of British Coins, and the 6d is your chosen denomination, a good place to start is the Complete Date Set of Sixpences of Queen Elizabeth II. This set includes all the scarce and rare dates – from 1953, the year of the Coronation of the Queen, until 1967 when they ceased to strike them. We update our site regularly with new items. The best way to ensure you don’t miss out on our new stock is to subscribe to our newsletter.