Sixpence (Australian)

A sixpence of 1951, with the reverse side on the left

The Australian sixpence was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to the decimalisation of the Australian currency in 1966. The pre-decimal sixpence was minted from 1910 until 1963, excluding the years 1913, 1915, 1929–33 inclusive, 1937, 1947 and 1949.

The sixpence was the only pre-decimal Australian coin which never had the design on its reverse altered. That is especially surprising given that the coat of arms depicted was obsolete for almost all of that time, having been superseded by the current one in 1912.

During World War II, between 1942 and 1944, sixpence production was supplemented by coinage produced by two branches of the United States Mint. Coins struck at the San Francisco mint (1942–1944) carry a small S below the coat of arms, while those from the Denver mint (1942–1943) have a small D in the same place.

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 which is made from 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel and 5% zinc.

After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the sixpence continued to circulate at the value of 5¢, along with new 5¢ coins of the same size and weight.

Types

Image		Years		Technical parameters				Description / Legend / Designer
Obverse	Reverse	From	To	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		1910	1910	19 mm		2.82 g	92.5% silver, 7.5% copper	Reeded	Edward VII EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: by George William de Saulles	1908 coat of arms of Australia (with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA on ribbon) SIXPENCE by W.H.J. Blakemore
		1911	1936						George V GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP: by Bertram Mackennal
		1938	1945						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP. by Thomas Hugh Paget
		1946	1948			2.82 g	50.00% silver, 40.00% copper, 5.00% nickel, 5.00% zinc
		1950	1952						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF. by Thomas Hugh Paget
		1953	1954						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA by Mary Gillick
		1955	1963						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Mintmarks

D : Denver
M : Melbourne
PL : London
S : San Francisco

References

Bruce, Colin R.; Thomas Michael (2005). 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins (1901–present). KP Books. p. 68. ISBN 0-87349-987-5.
Sixpence article on Cruzis Coins

External links

Preceded by Sixpence (British)	Sixpence 1910–1966	Succeeded by Five cent coin (Australian)

Australian currency

Decimal coins	1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c (round) $1 $2 Coins of the $ Commemorative coins

Decimal notes	$1 $2 $5 $10 $20 $50 $100 Banknotes of the $

Pre-decimal coins	¹⁄₂d 1d 3d 6d 1s 2s 5s Pre-£ coins Coins of the £

Pre-decimal notes	5s 10s £1 £5 £10 £20 £50 £100 £1000

Mints	Sydney Mint (1855–1926) Melbourne Mint (1872–1967) Perth Mint (1899–) Royal Australian Mint (1965–)

Topics	Australian dollar Australian pound (obsolete) Banknotes of the Australian pound (obsolete) Note Printing Australia Pound sterling (obsolete) Reserve Bank of Australia

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