Sixpence, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin).

During the existence of the denomination, sixpence coins were issued for:
- King George III (1816 - 1820)
- King George IV (1821 - 1829)
- King William IV (1831 - 1837)
- Queen Victoria (1838 - 1901)
- King Edward VII (1902 - 1910)
- King George V (1911 - 1936)
- King George VI (1937 - 1952)
- Queen Elizabeth II (1953 - 1970)

The reverse went through several transformations during the existence of the denomination.

The first design (1816 - 1820) shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it, partly obscured by the crown. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The second design (1821 only) shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, are surrounded by a rose, thistle and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. Around below, separated by the rose, the date of issue ANNO 1821 (from Latin: Year 1821). The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The third design (1824 - 1826) shows the crowned and shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it. Around below, the date of issue ANNO [year]. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The fourth design (1826 - 1829) shows at its centre the Royal crest, depicting the Lion of England standing on St Edward's Crown. Below the crown, a rose, thistle and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The fifth design (1831 - 1887) shows, within an open wreath of olive (left) and oak (right) branches, the value and denomination in words, on two lines: SIX PENCE. Above the value, St Edward's Crown. Below the ribbon tying the wreath, the date of issue: [year].

The sixth design (1887 only) again shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it. Below, the date 1887. Due to its similarity with the half sovereign and the fact that the denomination was not written on it, the design was immediately withdrawn and replaced with the next type.

The seventh design (1887 - 1910) shows the denomination within an open wreath and under a crown; it is similar to the fifth design, with the most visible difference being the shape of the crown.

The eighth design (1911 - 1927) again features St Edward's Crown surmounted by the crowned Lion of England, similar to the fourth reverse. The date of issue [year] is within the central circle, divided by the crown. Around below, the denomination (as one word): SIXPENCE.

The ninth design (1927 - 1936) shows six intertwined sprigs of oak, ending with six acorns. Around above, interrupted by two of the acorns, the value and denomination · SIXPENCE ·. Around below, the date of issue · A · [year] · D ·

The tenth design (1937 - 1948) features the crowned royal cypher of King George VI, GRI for GEORGIVS REX IMPERATOR - "George King and Emperor" - dividing the date: [year].

The eleventh design (1948 - 1952) features an updated crowned royal cypher of King George VI, GR VI for GEORGIVS SEXTUS - "George the Sixth" - dividing the date: [year]. The change was made due to the Independence of India, after which the monarch had no claim to the title of Emperor of India.

The twelfth and final design (1953 - 1970) shows four interlinked plants: rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, each with a leaf from the same stem. These represent the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales respectively. Around below, the denomination as two words: SIX PENCE, followed by the date of issue · [year].

Various British colonies, dominions and dependencies also issued their own versions of the sixpence denomination, usually to be used in parallel with their Imperial counterpart and with compatible dimensions and composition but sometimes made deliberately different. For these, see:

- British West Africa, Sixpence - issued 1913 to 1952, demonetised 1968
- Australia, Sixpence - issued 1910 to 1963, withdrawn 1966 (not demonetised); replaced by compatible Five Cents - still being issued and current
- New Zealand, Sixpence - issued 1933 to 1965, demonetised 2006; replaced by compatible Five Cents issued 1967 to 2006, demonetised 2006
- Fiji, Sixpence - issued 1934 to 1967, demonetised 1969; replaced by compatible Five Cents issued 1969 to 2006, demonetised 2009
- New Guinea, Sixpence - with central hole, issued 1935 and 1943, demonetised 1966
- Nigeria, Sixpence - issued 1959 only, demonetised 1973