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...
Edward VII Silver Sixpence. Very Good. They struck coins for King Edward VII from 1902 until 1910, a rather short reign. But then again he had to wait for Queen Victoria to pass away and she lived quite a long time. All of his silver coins are struck in Sterling Silver and the most difficult denomination to get is the Sixpence.
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.
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.