Sixpence 1954, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Sixpence 1954, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1980)
CoinSixpence 1954

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 denomination had undergone several earlier changes in design, and was in silver until the first issue of King George VI was debased to copper-nickel after 1946. After the King's death, the reverse design with his royal cypher was replaced by this new type for Queen Elizabeth II, featuring the plant emblems of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom. This was the last type of sixpence issued for circulation; the denomination was abolished with the introduction of decimal currency.

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 1954 was legal tender for 26 years.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 105,241,150 (105.2 million)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Sixpence 1954 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young laureate 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. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen.

Obverse Inscription + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Reverse
United Kingdom / Sixpence 1954 - reverse photo

The reverse design features 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.

In small letters below, at the sides of the shamrock, the artists' initials, E · F on the left for Edgar Fuller, and C · T on the right for Cecil Thomas

Around above, the rest of the monarch's legend: FID · DEF ·, for FIDEI DEFENSOR ("Defender of the Faith").

Around below, the denomination as two words: SIX PENCE, followed by the date of issue · 1954.

Reverse Inscription FID · DEF · SIX PENCE · 1954
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Sixpence 1954: Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

Listed in Krause only, not in Remick or Spink.

Sixpence 1954: References to Information Used
Showing 51 from a total of 151 coins of type: Sixpence
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Sixpence 1919 13,375,447 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1920 14,136,287 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1921 30,339,741 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1922 16,878,896 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1923 6,382,793 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1924 17,444,218 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1925 12,720,558 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1926 21,809,621 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1927 Lion on Crown 68,939,873 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Sixpence 1927 Oak Leaves (Proof only) 15,000 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1928 23,123,384 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1929 28,319,326 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1930 16,990,289 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1931 16,873,268 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1932 9,406,117 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1933 22,185,083 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1934 9,304,009 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1935 13,995,621 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1936 24,380,171 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:
Sixpence 1937 22,328,926 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1938 13,402,701 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1939 28,670,304 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1940 20,875,196 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1941 23,086,616 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1942 44,942,785 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1943 46,927,111 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1944 37,952,600 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1945 39,939,259 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1946 43,466,407 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1947 29,993,263 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1948 88,323,540 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1949 41,355,515 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1950 32,759,468 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1951 40,419,491 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1952 1,013,477 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Sixpence 1953 70,363,876 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA
Sixpence 1954 105,241,150 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1955 109,929,554 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1956 109,841,555 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1957 150,654,290 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1958 123,518,527 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1959 93,089,441 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1960 103,288,346 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1961 115,052,017 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1962 178,359,637 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1963 112,964,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1964 152,336,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1965 129,644,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1966 175,696,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1967 240,788,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Sixpence 1970 (Proof only) 750,476 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Showing 101 to 151 of 151 Coins.
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Sixpence 1954: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeSixpence, Queen Elizabeth II
Issued1954
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - First Portrait, by Mary Gillick
Face Value6 (x Penny)
Total Mintage105,241,150 (105.2 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1980
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerEdgar Fuller, Cecil Thomas
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size19.5000 mm
Mass2.8300 g
OCC IDXYRV-POVR-CKAD-ODQG
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Sixpence 1954: Photos
ImageDetails
Sixpence 1954: Photo Coin - Sixpence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1954 / thumbnail Coin - Sixpence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1954
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Sixpence 1954: Photo Coin - Sixpence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1954 / thumbnail Coin - Sixpence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1954
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Sixpence 1954: Catalogue Reference IDs