Denomination –  Six Pence (1/40 of a Pound)
Country –  United Kingdom
Year –  1967
Head Of State – Queen Elizabeth II
Mint – London Royal Mint
Obverse – Laureate bust
right , Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina
Reverse – Interlinked rose, thistle, shamrock and leek each with a leaf from the same stem; in small letters at sides of shamrock the artist’s initials, EF CT (Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas); around above, FID DEF; around below, SIX PENCE 1967
Metal – Copper – Nickel
Condition – Uncirculated
Creator – Mary Gillick
Catalogue – KM#903, Spink  4149-1967
Edge – Milled
Mintage – 240,788,000
Collection – Giannis Koromilas
Diameter  –  19,50 mm
Weight – 3,00 gr
Interesting Facts – For a numismatist, the sixpence could very well last you all your life. Practically every country in the United Kingdom and its former colonies and protectorates has issued a sixpence coin. The British sixpence alone has a rich history of over 400 years. It would be very easy to specialize in collecting and studying sixpence and make it a life’s work.
The first sixpence was a hammered coin issued by Edward VI in 1551. It immediately became popular due to its high quality silver composition. The sixpence has been a popular coin ever since. Hammered coins were produced by placing the flan, or blank between two dies, and then striking the upper die with a hammer. This is one of the oldest means of making coins.The last British sixpence was minted in 1967 under the reign of Elizabeth II, except for a special 1970 proof set which included a sixpence. They continued to circulate as legal tender, as were all sixpence minted after 1816.
In 1971, the old pound, shilling, pence system gave way to new coinage based on the decimal system. At that time the sixpence was revalued at two and a half pence. They were finally demonetized in 1980.

The last date of issue for circulation was 1967. A 1970 proof was issued in ‘Last Lsd’ sets, and at least one such set is known with a 1967 proof in error. There are minor obverse differences to be found on 1964 and 1965 coins, and minor reverse differences amongst 1955 sixpences.

The sixpence continued in use for some time after decimalisation in 1971, valued at 2.5 new pence. It was especially useful for parking meters and on the London Underground, but inflation and a lack of encouragement in its use led to it being finally demonetised at the end of June 1980.

Even though the British sixpence is no longer a legal tender coin, it still enjoys an enormous popularity. It is still a highly sought after item in wedding preparations and everyone should have a lucky sixpence in their pocket
Value – Krause (XF:0,20 – Unc:1,50)