Sixpence (Tanner)

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...

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  • Pre-Decimal Denomination: Sixpence (Tanner)
  • Monarch: Elizabeth I 1558 - 1603 or George III 1760 - 1820 or George IV 1820 - 1830 or George VI 1936 - 1952 or Elizabeth II 1952 - 2022
1941 Sixpence_obv

1941 Sixpence Almost Uncirculated

Almost Uncirculated
£18.00
Elizabeth I, Sixpence (Ewerby Hoard)

Elizabeth I, Sixpence (Ewerby Hoard)

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.
From £69.50
Elizabeth I_Sixpence_Ewerby_Hoard_Poor_obv

Elizabeth I, Sixpence (Ewerby Hoard) Poor

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.
£69.50
Elizabeth I Sixpence Very Good_obv

Elizabeth I, Sixpence Very Good

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.
£125.00
Picture of Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1956 Unc

Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1956 Unc

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.
£6.95
1964 Sixpence Unc

Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1964 Unc

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.
£3.95
Picture of Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1967 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1967 Brilliant Unc

Elizabeth II (1952- ), Sixpence, 1967. Brilliant Uncirculated.
£2.00
1970 Sixpence Proof_obv

Elizabeth II, Sixpence 1970 Proof

1970 Proof Sixpence. Not Struck for circulation.
£9.00
George III, 'Bull Head' Sixpence Very Good_Obv

George III, Sixpence (Bull Head) Very Good

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.
£19.95
George III 1787 Sixpence Extremely Fine_obv

George III, Sixpence 1787 Extremely Fine

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.
£150.00
George III, Sixpence 1787 Unc_obv

George III, Sixpence 1787 Uncirculated

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.
£245.00
George IV_1821_Sixpence_Laureate_Head_1st_reverse_Choice_Unc_obv

George IV, Sixpence (Laureate Head 1st reverse) 1821 Choice Unc

With an attractive steel grey and blue tone. Catalogues £450 in Unc.
£350.00
George IV, Sixpence (Laureate Head, Second Shield) 1825 Good Extremely Fine_obv

George IV, Sixpence (Laureate Head, Second Shield) 1825 Good Extremely Fine

with an appealing tone.
£225.00
George IV 1829 Sixpence Nearly Extremely Fine_obv

George IV, Sixpence 1829 Nearly Extremely Fine

£145.00
Picture of George VI,  Sixpence 1945 Gem BU

George VI, Sixpence 1945 Gem BU

This coin was struck the year before the last silver Sixpence ever was struck, so the 1945 Sixpence is the Penultimate Silver Sixpence. It was issued under King George VI and just after the end of World War II. There is something about a coin struck in silver, they just look and feel great. These coins were put away in 1945 and therefore are in outstanding condition. We have them in the two highest grades you can get; this particular one is the Gem Uncirculated variant. We know you will love them.
£40.00
1942_Silver_Sixpence_obv

George VI, Sixpence (Silver) 1942

This Silver Sixpence was issued during World War II in 1942. Believe it or not, during the War, other metals were of more use than silver, so they used silver in our coinage. You have the bare head portrait of King George VI on the obverse and crowned initials on the reverse. If nothing else, this would make an excellent small present for someone getting married. They are in selected circulated condition, struck during World War II and struck in silver.
£8.95
1937 Sixpence_obv

George VI, Sixpence 1937 Choice Unc

Choice Uncirculated.
£30.00
Picture of George VI, Sixpence 1937 Fine

George VI, Sixpence 1937 Fine

After all the problems of the Monarchy that happened in 1936, George VI has finally crowned King George VI in 1937. The new coins included the 1937 Silver Sixpence, for some reason this date is rather difficult to get. The coins on offer are the 1937 Coronation Sixpence in Fine or better condition. It was the last silver Coronation sixpence to be struck and is difficult to find. Add one to your collection, you just might need it.
£8.50
1939 Sixpence_Obv

George VI, Sixpence 1939 Choice Unc

Choice Uncirculated.
£30.00
1940 Sixpence_obv

George VI, Sixpence 1940 Choice Unc

Choice Uncirculated.
£40.00
1942 Sixpence  Choice Uncirculated_obv

George VI, Sixpence 1942 Choice Unc

Choice Uncirculated.
£35.00
1942 Sixpence Gem Unc_obv

George VI, Sixpence 1942 Gem Unc

We have small a hoard of King George VI Silver Sixpences in choice condition. These are the last silver sixpences ever and there is a variety of dates all choice to gem. They make great type coins or if you were born that year, they make great presents. You have the bare head of the King on one side and the crowned cypher on the other side. These coins are in beautiful condition and remember the last silver coins ever were issued in 1946. King George VI was of course H. M. the Queen’s father.
£45.00
1942 Sixpence_Obv

George VI, Sixpence 1942 Unc

Uncirculated.
£20.00
1943 Sixpence_obv

George VI, Sixpence 1943 Choice Unc

Choice Uncirculated.
£35.00
1944_Sixpence_Obv

George VI, Sixpence 1944 Choice Unc

Here we offer World War II 1944 Silver Sixpence in Choice Uncirculated condition. They are fantastic coins to see and own. But supplies are limited.
£35.00

Why is a 6 Pence Lucky?

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.