Sixpences

Sixpences: Introduction

The Sixpence (half a shilling) was a British silver coin that was first minted 1551 and virtually continuously until decimalisation in 1971. They were often known as 'tanners'. They are small coins, the last minted had a diameter of about 19.4 mm.

It was a popular coin when in circulation and is now popular with collectors as it has a long history and many nice specimens can be obtained at affordable prices.

The following have minted Sixpences during their reign:

ObverseEdward VI
(1547-1553)
ObverseMary I - Philip and Mary
(Mary 1553-54 - Philip and Mary 1554-58)
ObverseElizabeth I
(1558-1603)
ObverseJames I
(1603-1625)
ObverseCharles I
(1625-1649)
ObverseOliver Cromwell / Commonwealth
(1649-1660)
ObverseCharles II
(1660-1685)
ObverseJames II
(1685-1688)
ObverseWilliam and Mary
(1689-1694)
ObverseWilliam III
(1694-1702)
ObverseAnne
(1702-1714)
ObverseGeorge I
(1714-1727)
ObverseGeorge II
(1727-1760)
ObverseGeorge III
(1760-1820)
ObverseGeorge IV
(1820-1830)
ObverseWilliam IV
(1830-1837)
ObverseVictoria
(1837-1901)
ObverseEdward VII
(1901-1910)
ObverseGeorge V
(1910-1936)
ObverseElizabeth II
(1952-2022)
ObverseCharles III
(2022-Present)