What Is a Six Pence

• A six pence is a British coin valued at 1/40 of a pound sterling. A six pence is also know as a tanner or half shilling.
  
  

History of the Six Pence

• The six pence first came into use in 1551, when it was created under the reign of Edward VI. Decimalisation, which took place in 1971, effectively ended the six pence.
  
  

Six Pence Silver Content

• Six pence were made of sterling silver up until 1920. The silver content was reduced to 50% in 1921 and from 1947 they were manufactured from cupronickel.
  
  

The Six Pence in Culture

• Six pence coins were an important part of Christmas traditions. There were put into the holiday puddings and children would hope to find one. A "sixpence in her shoe" was the last line in a traditional wedding good luck saying.
  
  

Versions of the Six Pence

• The original had a portrait of King Edward with a rose to the left of him and the denomination VI on the right. The final version of the coin had a bust of Elizabeth II on the front of the coin and a rose garland, shamrock, leek and thistle on the reverse.