Sixpence, Wreath Second Design, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

The pre-decimal sixpence (6d) was a unit of currency equalling one fortieth of a pound sterling, or six pence sterling. It was used in the United Kingdom, and earlier in Great Britain and England.

The first "wreath" type of sixpence was introduced at the beginning of the reign of King William IV and was issued from 1831 to 1887.

In 1887, new coinage in gold and silver was introduced to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria - fifty years on the throne, 1837-1887. The coins all shared a new "Jubilee" obverse of the Queen by Joseph Edgar Boehm, adapted from his own Jubilee medal. The new obverse proved unpopular and was only used until 1893. This coinage initially had a sixpence denomination featuring the Royal Coat of Arms; however, it was quickly withdrawn due to its similarity with the half sovereign and was replaced with this second wreath design; the new type is based on the first wreath type but was re-designed, with the main visible difference being the new shape of the crown on top.

The composition is Sterling Silver (0.925 silver) and the coins have 0.0841 oz ASW (ounce of Absolute Silver Weight). Sixpences continued to be legal tender for a while after the currency became decimal in 1971, with a value of 2 1⁄2 new pence, until they were demonetised on 30th June 1980.