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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 crowned cypher (monogram) of the monarch, was introduced for King George VI at the beginning of his reign in 1937. It was replaced with a new style of monogram in 1949, after the title Emperor of India was dropped from his legend due to the Independence of India.
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 1945 was legal tender for 35 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 VI facing left.
Below the neck truncation in small letters, the artist's initials HP (for [Thomas] Humphrey Paget).
Around, part of the the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX, which is an abbreviation from GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REX; translated from Latin, it means "George the Sixth, 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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Within a beaded border, the reverse of the coin shows the crowned royal cypher GRI, for GEORGIVS REX IMPERATOR - "George King and Emperor" - dividing the date: 1945.
Below the monogram in small letters, the designer's initials K · G (for [George] Kruger Gray).
Around above, interrupted by the cross on top of the crown, 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 |
GRI 1945 FID · DEF · · IND · IMP SIXPENCE |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Included in Set |
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The 80th Anniversary of VE Day Premium Ten-Coin Set, mintage unknown, limited to 80
10 coins: 50 Pence VE Day 2025, Halfcrown 1945, Florin 1945, Shilling (English) 1945, Shilling (Scottish) 1945, Sixpence 1945, Threepence (brass) 1945, Penny 1945, Halfpenny 1945, Farthing 1945
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