1956 Australian Sixpence

Description

The Australian Sixpence (or six pence) is a small silver coin which was used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal sixpence, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia – but not in the United Kingdom). 6 pence were equal to half a shilling, or 1/40th of a pound.

The pre-decimal sixpence was minted from 1910 until 1963, excluding the years 1913, 1915, 1929 – 33 inclusive, 1937, 1947 and 1949. It is the only pre-decimal Australian coin which never had the design on its reverse altered; the rest of the coinage was re-designed at the beginning of King George VI’s reign. That is especially surprising given that the Coat of Arms (1908) depicted was obsolete for almost all of that time, having been superseded in 1912.

The coins were initially struck by the Royal Mint, then mostly by the Melbourne Mint; during World War II its production was supplemented by coinage produced by the United States Mint:
– Royal Mint, 1910 – 1914, no mint mark; 1951 letters PL for mint mark
– Melbourne Mint, 1916 – 1963, letter M to 1920, then no mint mark
– Sydney Mint, 1921 – 1926, no mint mark
– United States Mint, San Francisco, 1942 – 1944, with S mint mark
– United States Mint, Denver, 1942 – 1943, with D mint mark

From 1910 to 1945 Australian sixpences were of sterling silver (0.925 fine) with 7.5% copper; from 1946 to 1963 they were reduced to 0.500 fine silver with composition of 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel and 5% zinc.

After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the sixpence was re-denominated as 5 cents and continued to circulate for a time, along with the new 5¢ coins which were the same size and weight (but made of copper-nickel). Even though they were practically withdrawn from circulation in 1966, the sixpence coins were never formally demonetised and are still legal tender.

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin). Being a Dominion of the British Empire, Australia used the Imperial legend of the monarch and not a “home” version of it.

Throughout the existence of the coin type, the monarchs were:
– King Edward VII, 1910 only, shown in his Crowned bust by George William de Saulles
– King George V, 1911 – 1936, shown in his Crowned bust by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal
– King George VI, 1938 – 1952, shown in his Bare Head portrait by Thomas Humphrey Paget
– Queen Elizabeth II, 1953 – 1963, shown in her First Effigy by Mary Gillick

There were no coins released for King Edward VIII.

The reverse features the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 7th May 1908.

At centre, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons (small shields). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed.

Around above, the denomination SIXPENCE; below, between arrow heads, the date [year].

Additional information