Sixpence (British coin)

Sixpence
United Kingdom
Value£0.025
6d (until 1971)
212p (1971–1980)
Mass(1816–1970) 2.83 g
Diameter19.41 mm
EdgeMilled
Composition(1551–1816) Silver
(1816–1920) 92.5% Ag
(1920–1946) 50% Ag
(1947–1970) Cupronickel
Years of minting1551–1970
Obverse
DesignProfile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown)
DesignerMary Gillick
Design date1953
Reverse
DesignVarious (floral design shown)
DesignerEdgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas
Design date1947
Sixpence (Decimal)
United Kingdom
Value0.06 pound sterling
Mass3.35 g
Diameter19.41 mm
EdgeMilled
Composition92.5% Ag
Years of minting2016–present
Obverse
DesignProfile of the monarch
DesignerJody Clark
Design date2015
Reverse
DesignRoyal cypher of Elizabeth II with plants and flowers
DesignerJohn Bergdahl
Design date2016

The British sixpence (/ˈsɪkspəns/) piece, sometimes known as a tanner or sixpenny bit, was a denomination of sterling coinage worth 140 of one pound or half of one shilling. It was first minted in 1551, during the reign of Edward VI, and circulated until 1980. The coin was made from silver from its introduction in 1551 until 1947, and thereafter in cupronickel.

Before Decimal Day in 1971, sterling used the Carolingian monetary system (£sd), under which the largest unit was a pound (£), divisible into 20 shillings (s), each worth 12 pence (d), the value of two pre-decimal sixpence coins. Following decimalisation, the old sixpence had a value of 2+12 new pence (£0.025).

In 2016, new decimal sixpences (face value £0.06) began being minted by the Royal Mint as commemorative issues; these coins have been produced for each year since then, and are minted in sterling silver. They are not intended for circulation as tender, but just like older mintages, these coins continue to have uses in especially Christmas and wedding traditions; cf. § Cultural significance, below.