Sixpence

6 pence from 1951 with King George VI.

The sixpence was a coin denomination issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain .

These are English half- shillings , which were first introduced under Edward VI. 1551 were minted (until 1946 in silver , from 1947 to 1970 in copper nickel ). In 1971, with the introduction of the decimal system , it was valid for 2½ new pence , in 1973 it became officially invalid, but remained in use as a machine coin. It was not until 1980 that the sixpence was finally taken out of circulation.

Ireland had its own sixpence until 1971, designed by William Butler Yeats .

Sixpence is a popular symbol of luck, especially in the UK. For example, they are traditionally baked in Christmas puddings, and Queen guitarist Brian May uses such a coin to play his guitar ( Red Special ) instead of a pick .