|
The Australian Sixpence (or six pence) is a small silver coin which was used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal sixpence, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia - but not in the United Kingdom). 6 pence were equal to half a shilling, or 1/40th of a pound.
The sixpence is the only pre-decimal Australian coin which never had the design on its reverse altered. That is especially surprising given that the Coat of Arms (1908) depicted was obsolete for almost all of that time, having been superseded in 1912.
After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the sixpence was re-denominated as 5 cents and continued to circulate for a time, along with the new 5¢ coins which were the same size and weight (but made of copper-nickel). Coins issued in 1963 were in practice withdrawn in 1966 after only three years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
|
| Mint | Melbourne Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
25,061,042 (25.1 million)
|
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.
The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.
The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F: D:. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
The reverse features the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 7th May 1908.
At centre, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons (small shields). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed.
Around above, the denomination SIXPENCE; below, between arrow heads, the date 1963. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
SIXPENCE 1963 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | This was the last year that the sixpence denomination was struck for Australia and the last appearance on the regular coinage of the 1908 Arms.
Proof mintage listed in Renniks 3rd Edition, 1965 as 2,000, later editions (as well as Krause) show 5,042. |
|---|
|
Search for Australia: Sixpence 1963 on eBay 