Sixpence 1965, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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.

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.

Remick's Guide and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins 1971 lists mintage of 149,948,000.