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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.
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 1965 was legal tender for 15 years.
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| Obverse | |
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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.
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| Reverse | |
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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 · 1965. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
FID · DEF · SIX PENCE · 1965 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Remick's Guide and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1971 lists mintage of 149,948,000. |
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