British Sixpence, Queen Elizabeth II First Portrait (Mary Gillick)
Coin/Bullion (Circulated Numismatic Coinage) · The Royal Mint, United Kingdom. Founded over 1,100 years ago, it is the primary mint for the UK and a world-renowned producer of coinage.
Pattern: Standard Pre-decimal Circulated Coinage; Queen Elizabeth II First Portrait obverse.
Type
Coin/Bullion (Circulated Numismatic Coinage)
Maker
The Royal Mint, United Kingdom. Founded over 1,100 years ago, it is the primary mint for the UK and a world-renowned producer of coinage.
Material
Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). Note: This is NOT silver. British sixpences were made of sterling silver (.925) until 1920, and 50% silver until 1946. Post-1946 examples contain no silver content.
Dimensions
Diameter: 19.3 mm; Weight: 2.83 grams; Thickness: 1.2 mm. This is the standard size for all pre-decimal sixpences of this era.
Description
A classic example of British mid-20th-century coinage, this sixpence features the youthful 'First Portrait' of Queen Elizabeth II. Often referred to as a 'lucky sixpence,' this denomination was a staple of British commerce and holiday traditions for centuries. While it maintains the silvery luster of its predecessors, it is composed of a cupro-nickel alloy common to post-WWII British austerity measures.
Key Features
The Mary Gillick portrait, which shows the Queen without a crown, only a laurel wreath; the lack of 'F:D:' (Fidei Defensor) in some very early 1953 versions (though usually present on most); and the characteristic cupro-nickel sheen which is yellower/greyer than sterling silver.
Material & Composition
Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). Note: This is NOT silver. British sixpences were made of sterling silver (.925) until 1920, and 50% silver until 1946. Post-1946 examples contain no silver content.
Finish & Decoration
Die-struck circulation finish. Obverse features the 'First Portrait' of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, showing the Queen laureated and facing right. The inscriptions read 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA' (Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen).
Hallmarks & Stamps
No silver hallmarks. As legal tender, authentication is found in the relief detail and the serrated (milled) edge. The denomination and date would be found on the reverse side (not visible in the primary image).
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured by high-pressure die-striking from prepared metal planchets (blanks) at the Royal Mint.
Functional Features
Serrated (milled) edge to prevent 'clipping' (shaving metal off the edges), a holdover from when coins were made of precious metals.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (coinage form).
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial die-work. The Mary Gillick portrait is celebrated for its grace and simplicity, representing a departure from the more heavy-handed royal portraits of the Victorian and Georgian eras.
Authentication Indicators
The crispness of the lettering 'DEI GRATIA REGINA' and the specific Laurel wreath detail are consistent with genuine Royal Mint strikes. The color is characteristic of nickel-alloy oxidation rather than silver sulfide tarnish.
Origin & Manufacturing
Llantrisant (Wales) or London (Tower Hill), United Kingdom. Struck by The Royal Mint using industrial steam or electric presses.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Elizabethan Era. The inscriptions and Gillick portrait were used from 1953 until decimalisation in 1971.
Age Estimate
Circa 1953–1970. Based on the Mary Gillick portrait and cupro-nickel appearance.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of British monetary history before the shift to the decimal system in 1971. It represents the post-war transition of the British Empire and the beginning of the Elizabethan era.
Condition Notes
Very Good (VG) to Fine (F). Visible surface wear on the high points of the hair and lettering; moderate tarnish and 'pocket wear' consistent with a coin that circulated for several years.
Value Estimate
$0.50 - $2.00 USD. Value is nominal as these were minted in the hundreds of millions and contain no precious metal.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish numismatic coins as it destroys collector value. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or acid-free envelope to prevent 'verdigris' (green corrosion).
Similar Pieces
1946 and earlier sixpences (which contain 50% silver) and pre-1920 sixpences (which are .925 sterling silver). The silver versions feel heavier in the hand and have a distinct 'ring' when dropped.
Interesting Facts
The sixpence is traditionally placed in Christmas Puddings for luck. It is also a staple of the 'Something old, something new...' bridal tradition, where a sixpence is placed in the bride's shoe.