What is a sixpence?

Answer 1

English/British coin Sixpence

A sixpence was a British pre-decimal coin, worth, as the name suggest, 6 pennies.

In England, the first sixpence was struck in the reign of Edward VI in 1551 and continued until killed off by decimalisation in 1971. Along with the shilling (12 pence) and the florin (or two shillings), the last general issue sixpence was issued in 1967 and a special proof version struck for inclusion in the farewell proof set of 1970. However, sixpences, shillings and florins continued to be legal tender at values of 2.5, 5 and 10 new pence. Sixpences remained legal tender until 1980 although only banks were likely to accept them after decimalisation.

The silver content followed the pattern of other silver coins. They were sterling silver until 1920 when they were reduced to 50% silver. The last 50% silver sixpence was in 1946 and they were changed to cupro-nickel from 1947 onwards.

Sixpences were put into Christmas puddings and children would hope to be the lucky one to find the sixpence, no doubt also encouraging children to eat their pudding.

They are, or were, also seen as a lucky charm for brides. There is an old rhyme which goes:-

Answer 2

It was silver three penny pieces that were put into Christmas pudding, not as has been said sixpences.
Phonetic spellings included.
The following was the currency until 1971 Halfpenny (hapeney),
Penny, threepence ( the Threpeny, joey.), sixpence (the Tanner),
Two Shillings (Two Bob), Two shillings &sixpence, (Half-a-Crown, Half-a-Dollar), Ten Shilling Note, (Ten Bob Note),
Pound Nota (Quid), FivePound Note, (Fiver), Ten Pound Note, (Tenner)
There was a Grote = 2 Shillings. A guinea = £1-1shilling
There was also a 5 Shilling and a 5 Pound Piece These were released more for collectors
Not to be left out was the Sovreign for collections but all legel tender in their day.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Prior to decimalisation in the UK in 1971 a sixpence was a small silver coin that was worth 6 pence. Once the UK went decimal the sixpence piece would have been worth 2.5 pence, but they were of course withdrawn from circulation.

Answer 4

A sixpence was a coin made in 1551 during edward VI (5th) reign with a portrait of the king wiv a rose to the left and a denomination VI (5) to the right.

Answer 5

In England, the first sixpence was struck in the reign of Edward VI in 1551 and continued until they were rendered obsolete by decimalisation in 1971.

Answer 6

An old British coin; the plural of "penny" in England is "pence" (their equivalent of cents). So a sixpence was a coin worth six pennies.

Answer 7

In new money, post 1971 2 1/2 pence and also a coin that was traditionally put into xmas puddings!!! Also, you should know before you get confused as no one else has been very helpfull, a pound used to have 240 pennies to a pound.

Answer 8

A sixpence is a coin from England!!!!

Answer 9

a sixpence was a coin from England I remember from my childhood which was the lowest denomination with a silver colour and angled sides like our present twenty-pence piece....

Answer 10

It was a small silver coin, about the size of a 5p.. it was worth 2 & 1/2 pence. You could get a lucky bag for it!