Last edited 9 days ago by Retroplum
Sixpence (British coin)
Six old pence
United Kingdom
Value 6 pence sterling
Mass (1816-1970) 2.83 g
Diameter (1816-1970) 19.41 mm
Edge Milled
Composition (1551-1816) Silver
(1816–1920) 92.5% Ag
(1920–1946) 50% Ag
(1947–1970) Cupronickel[nb 1]
Years of minting 1551–1970
Obverse
British sixpence 1962 obverse.png
Design Profile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown)
Designer Mary Gillick
Design date 1953
Reverse
British sixpence 1962 reverse.png
Design Various (floral design shown)
Designer Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas
Design date 1947
The sixpence (6d), sometimes known as a tanner or sixpenny bit was a coin worth one fortieth of a pound sterling, or six pence. It was first minted in the reign of Edward VI and circulated until 1980. Following decimalisation in 1970 it had a value of 2½ new pence. The coin was made from silver from its introduction in 1551 to 1947, and thereafter in cupronickel.
Prior to Decimal Day in 1971 there were two hundred and forty pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), pronounced "three and six". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence, e.g. eight pence would be 8d.
HistoryEdit
The first sixpences were minted in 1551, during the reign of Edward VI. They came about as a result of the debasement of silver coinage in the 1540s, in particular the silver testoon, which fell in value from 12d to 6d.[1] The debased testoon was likely useful in everyday transactions, and it was decided that new coinage should be introduced with the express denomination of six pence.[2] The reason the testoon decreased in value is that unlike today, the value of coins was determined by the market price of the metal contained within them, and during the reign of Henry VIII the purity of silver in coinage had fallen significantly.
Sixpences were minted during the reign of every British monarch following Edward VI, as well as during the Commonwealth, with a vast number of variations and alterations appearing over the years. During the reign of George II a number of issues were designed by John Sigismund Tanner, one time Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, and it has been suggested that this is the origin of the nickname "tanner", which became a popular name for the coin until decimalisation.[3] An alternative explanation for the nickname is that it comes from Romany Gypsy word tawno meaning small thing.[2]
Sixpence of Queen Elizabeth I, struck in 1593 at the Tower Mint.
The Royal Mint undertook a massive recoinage programme in 1816, with large quantities of gold and silver coin being minted. Previous issues of silver coinage had been irregular, and the last issue, minted in 1787, did little to alleviate the chronic shortage of silver coinage in general circulation.[4] New silver coinage was to be of .925 (sterling) standard, with silver coins to be minted at 66 shillings to the pound.[5] Hence, newly minted sixpences weighed 43.636 grains or 2.828 grams.
The Royal Mint debased the silver coinage in 1920 from 92.5% silver to 50% silver. Sixpences of both alloys were minted that year.[6] This debasement was done because of the rising price of silver around the world, and followed the global trend of the elimination, or the reducing in purity of the silver in coinage.[7] The minting of silver coinage of the pound sterling ceased completely in 1946 for similar reasons, exacerbated by the costs of the Second World War. New "silver" coinage was instead minted in cupronickel, an alloy of copper and nickel containing no silver at all.[8]
Beginning with Lord Wrottesley's proposals in the 1820s there were various attempts to decimalise the pound sterling over the next century and a half.[9][10] These attempts came to nothing significant until the 1960s when the need for a currency more suited to simple monetary calculations became pressing. The decision to decimalise was announced in 1966, with the pound to be redivided into 100, rather than 240, pence.[11] Decimal Day was set for 15 February 1971, and a whole range of new coins were introduced. Sixpences continued to be legal tender with a value of 2½ new pence until 30 June 1980.[12]
Design
Cultural significance
See also
Notes
References
External links
Read in another language
Last edited 9 days ago by RetroplumSixpence (British coin)Six old penceUnited KingdomValue 6 pence sterlingMass (1816-1970) 2.83 gDiameter (1816-1970) 19.41 mmEdge MilledComposition (1551-1816) Silver(1816–1920) 92.5% Ag(1920–1946) 50% Ag(1947–1970) Cupronickel[nb 1]Years of minting 1551–1970ObverseBritish sixpence 1962 obverse.pngDesign Profile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown)Designer Mary GillickDesign date 1953ReverseBritish sixpence 1962 reverse.pngDesign Various (floral design shown)Designer Edgar Fuller and Cecil ThomasDesign date 1947The sixpence (6d), sometimes known as a tanner or sixpenny bit was a coin worth one fortieth of a pound sterling, or six pence. It was first minted in the reign of Edward VI and circulated until 1980. Following decimalisation in 1970 it had a value of 2½ new pence. The coin was made from silver from its introduction in 1551 to 1947, and thereafter in cupronickel.Prior to Decimal Day in 1971 there were two hundred and forty pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence, e.g. forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), pronounced "three and six". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence, e.g. eight pence would be 8d.HistoryEditThe first sixpences were minted in 1551, during the reign of Edward VI. They came about as a result of the debasement of silver coinage in the 1540s, in particular the silver testoon, which fell in value from 12d to 6d.[1] The debased testoon was likely useful in everyday transactions, and it was decided that new coinage should be introduced with the express denomination of six pence.[2] The reason the testoon decreased in value is that unlike today, the value of coins was determined by the market price of the metal contained within them, and during the reign of Henry VIII the purity of silver in coinage had fallen significantly.Sixpences were minted during the reign of every British monarch following Edward VI, as well as during the Commonwealth, with a vast number of variations and alterations appearing over the years. During the reign of George II a number of issues were designed by John Sigismund Tanner, one time Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, and it has been suggested that this is the origin of the nickname "tanner", which became a popular name for the coin until decimalisation.[3] An alternative explanation for the nickname is that it comes from Romany Gypsy word tawno meaning small thing.[2]Sixpence of Queen Elizabeth I, struck in 1593 at the Tower Mint.The Royal Mint undertook a massive recoinage programme in 1816, with large quantities of gold and silver coin being minted. Previous issues of silver coinage had been irregular, and the last issue, minted in 1787, did little to alleviate the chronic shortage of silver coinage in general circulation.[4] New silver coinage was to be of .925 (sterling) standard, with silver coins to be minted at 66 shillings to the pound.[5] Hence, newly minted sixpences weighed 43.636 grains or 2.828 grams.The Royal Mint debased the silver coinage in 1920 from 92.5% silver to 50% silver. Sixpences of both alloys were minted that year.[6] This debasement was done because of the rising price of silver around the world, and followed the global trend of the elimination, or the reducing in purity of the silver in coinage.[7] The minting of silver coinage of the pound sterling ceased completely in 1946 for similar reasons, exacerbated by the costs of the Second World War. New "silver" coinage was instead minted in cupronickel, an alloy of copper and nickel containing no silver at all.[8]Beginning with Lord Wrottesley's proposals in the 1820s there were various attempts to decimalise the pound sterling over the next century and a half.[9][10] These attempts came to nothing significant until the 1960s when the need for a currency more suited to simple monetary calculations became pressing. The decision to decimalise was announced in 1966, with the pound to be redivided into 100, rather than 240, pence.[11] Decimal Day was set for 15 February 1971, and a whole range of new coins were introduced. Sixpences continued to be legal tender with a value of 2½ new pence until 30 June 1980.[12]DesignCultural significanceSee alsoNotesReferencesExternal linksRead in another language
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