6 Fun Facts About Sixpence Coins

For many, sixpence coins are more well known as a part of cultural lore than as a once-important part of the British pre-decimal monetary system, as well as that of several other nations, including Colonial America. So, for being a being a somewhat diminutive 19 millimeters, about the size of a United States one-cent coin, sixpence coins certainly have an incredible large presence in history.

During most of their production, sixpence coins were struck with a 92.5 percent silver composition, which in 1921 was reduced to 50 percent. In 1947, silver was removed completely from the coin, and was struck with a cupro-nickel composition until its last year of production in 1970.

Prior to decimalization of the British monetary system in 1971, a sixpence coin was a worth 1/40^th of a pound sterling, though was devalued to the equivalent of 2-1/2 new pence until June 30, 1980.

Six Fun Facts About Sixpence Coins

Vintage 16^th Century Money – Sixpence coins were first struck during the reign of Edward VI in 1551 and have depicted the various kings and queens of the British Isles over the decades. As the throne has changed hands, so, too, have the faces depicted on the obverses of sixpence coins.

Designs have included:

• Queen Victoria 1837-1901
• King Edward VII 1901-1910
• King George V 1910-1936
• King George VI 1936-1952
• Queen Elizabeth 1953-1970 (Queen Elizabeth succeeded her father, King George VI in 1952, following his death in February of that year; however, the Queen’s likeness did  not appear on six pence coins until 1953)

And a Sixpence Coin in Her Shoe – Perhaps one of the most popular references to sixpence coins comes in the form of a popular rhyme that goes something like this: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for her shoe.” While the rhyme derives from sometime during the Victorian era, its origin dates back to the 1600s, when the Lord of the Manor would present brides with silver coins, and often they would be sixpence coins. Putting a sixpence coin in a bride’s shoe is intended as a symbol of her future financial security and wealth. Some Scottish grooms observe a similar tradition in which they place as six pence coin under their shoes for good luck. For this reason, a sixpence coin is often viewed as something of a novelty and makes a great gift, especially for a bride or groom.

Sixpence Coins as Good Luck Charms beyond the Altar – Beyond their importance to brides on their wedding days, sixpence coins are viewed as good luck charms by many others, including Royal Air Force crew people, who have been sewn behind their brevets or wings.

What’s the Record Auction Price for a Sixpence Coin? – Before the United States began striking federal coinage in 1792, each of the colonies had their own coins, including Massachusetts, which struck sixpence coins during the 17^th century; many of these coins are now highly rare. In fact, a 1652 Massachusetts sixpence coin, one of just eight known to exist, commanded a hefty $430,000 at an auction in November 2012.

The Subject of Pop Music – Elton Box and Desmond Cox coined a song in 1941 that was quite popular called “I’ve Got Sixpence”; later on, in the 1990s, a pop/rock band out of Texas named Sixpence None the Richer hit the charts with popular tunes as “There She Goes” and “Kiss Me.”

What’s with the Thistle? The national flower of Scotland, thistle has appeared on Scottish coins since the 1400s; this follows a legend dating back to the 1200s, when Scotland was invaded from Danes from Norway. A Danish raider cloaked under the dark of night during an attack and cried in pain, alerting the Scots, who launched an attack against the encroachers and driving them away. Many sixpence coins depict roses, three-leaf clovers, and thistles, along with the words “Fid Def,” which is Latin for “fidei desfensor,” or “defender of faith.”