King George VI *1946-1951* Sixpences - Original British Coins

Product Information

The British sixpence coin is a fascinating piece of history, representing a denomination of sterling coinage valued at 1/40 of a pound or half a shilling. Its story begins way back in 1551 during the reign of Edward VI, a time when the British economy faced challenges with silver coinage. Specifically, the silver testoon lost value, dropping from 12 pence (d) to 6 pence (d), and it became necessary to create a new coin to facilitate daily transactions. Thus, the beloved sixpence was born!

During this period, coin value was determined by the intrinsic worth of the metal itself, which adds a unique layer of understanding to the significance of currency at the time. As the reign of Henry VIII brought about notable declines in the purity of silver in British coins, the sixpence continued to evolve. Remarkably, this charming coin has been produced through the reigns of every British monarch following Edward VI, as well as throughout the Commonwealth era. Each coin showcases the changing times through its many variations and designs.

One noteworthy chapter in the sixpence's history occurred during the reign of George II, when John Sigismund Tanner, the Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, introduced several innovative designs. Interestingly, the affectionate nickname “tanner,” which became a popular term for the sixpence until decimalisation, is thought to have originated from Tanner’s name!

Fast forward to 1816, a significant year for British currency as the Royal Mint launched an impressive recoinage program. This initiative aimed to correct previous inconsistencies in silver coinage, particularly after the last issue in 1787 failed to resolve the shortage of silver coins in circulation. The newly minted sixpences adhered to a .925 sterling standard, weighing 1.11 troy ounces, or about 2.828 grams. It was a remarkable effort to ensure the reliability of currency during that time.

However, the story took another turn in 1920 when the Royal Mint reduced the silver content in its coins from 92.5% to 50%. This change reflected a global trend tied to rising silver prices, resulting in the minting of sixpences composed of both alloys that year. As worldwide financial pressures increased, particularly after the turbulence of the Second World War, the minting of pure silver coinage phased out entirely by 1946. In its place, the Mint introduced new "silver" coins made of a cupronickel alloy, which, intriguing enough, contained no silver at all!

Over the years, there were various attempts to decimalise the pound sterling, starting with proposals from Lord Wrottesley in the 1820s. While these efforts didn’t gain much traction initially, the 1960s brought a renewed urgency for a simpler monetary system. The announcement of the decimalisation plan in 1966 revealed a massive shift: the pound would be subdivided into 100 pence instead of the traditional 240. Decimal Day, celebrated on 15 February 1971, introduced a whole new set of coins, although the sixpence remained a legal tender for a bit longer, valued at 2.5 new pence until 30 June 1980.

In a delightful revival, the Royal Mint began producing legal tender decimal sixpence coins in 2016, crafted from sterling silver and designed as commemorative pieces for the Christmas season. These new coins are noticeably heftier, weighing 3.35 grams instead of the pre-1970 sixpence's 2.83 grams, and they proudly bear the denomination of six new pence (6p) rather than six old pence (6d). The exquisite reverse design was crafted by the talented John Bergdahl, adding a modern touch to this storied coin.

In sum, the sixpence encapsulates centuries of British history! From its humble beginnings to its modern commemorative form, this little coin carries a legacy that continues to inspire and connect us to the past.


Coin Specifications

Obverse Design: A portrait of King George VI facing left, accompanied by an inscriptive legend. This work was designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget.

Reverse Design: A crowned royal cypher is centrally positioned, effectively dividing the date, with the legend situated above and the denomination below. This design was created by George Kruger Gray.