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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.
This design, featuring the English lion on top of St Edwards Crown, was introduced at the beginning of the reign of King George V in 1911 - bringing it in line with the shilling which carried the "lion on crown" design since 1902, and was issued until 1927.
The composition was Sterling Silver (0.925) with 0.0841 oz ASW (ounce of Absolute Silver Weight) until 1920 when it was debased to 50% (0.0452 oz ASW) together with the rest of the silver coinage. 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. Thus, a sixpence coin issued in 1920 was legal tender for 60 years.
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| Obverse | |
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Within a beaded border, the obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George V facing left.
Below, on the neck truncation in small letters, are the designer's initials B.M. (for [Sir Edgar] Bertram Mackennal )
Around, part of the the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX. Translated from Latin: George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains. The rest of the legend is on the reverse. |
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| Reverse | |
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The centre of the reverse shows St Edward's Crown surmounted by the crowned Lion of England. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, the crown has been traditionally used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th century (with a two-century gap between 1689 and 1911). The lion is walking to left, its head turned to face the viewer.
The date of issue 1920 is within the central circle, divided by the crown.
Within a beaded border, around above is the continuation of the monarch's legend: FID: DEF: IND: IMP: (abbreviated from FIDEI DEFENSOR INDIAE IMPERATOR - Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India).
Around below, the denomination (as one word): SIXPENCE. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
FID: DEF: IND: IMP: SIXPENCE 1920 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The composition was changed during the year; earlier coins were made of sterling silver (92.5%), later coins of 50%. Mintage includes both types. |
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