1558-1577 Sixpence – Elizabeth I


The 1565 Sixpence - Elizabeth I

Silver sixpence of Elizabeth I. Third or Fourth issue. The are many variations of this coin, mainly around the size and design of the head. This is hammered coinage although milled coinage also existed during this period. The design was used 1558-1577.

The Obverse shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, facing left. The rose behind was added to differentiate the coin from the shilling. Legend translates to "Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of England France and Ireland".

The Reverse shows a long cross fourchée (each arm is forked at the end), over a quartered shield with date above. The legend around translates to "I have made God my helper".

Image credit: The Royal Mint


Mintage: Not known
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
1593 SixpenceElizabeth was born on 7 September 1533, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in the House of Tudor. She reigned from 17 November 1558 until her death (aged 69) on 24 March 1603. Her Coronation was on 15 January 1559.

Elizabeth I is also known as the Virgin Queen, Gloriana or Good Queen Bess. She was the last of the five Tudor Monarchs.
Category: Sixpences

The Sixpence (half a shilling) was a British silver coin that was first minted 1551 and virtually continuously until decimalisation in 1971. They were often known as 'tanners'. They are small coins, the last minted had a diameter of about 19.4 mm.

Specifications:

  • Year Minted: 1551-1970
  • Diameter: 19.41 mm
  • Weight: 2.83g (1816-1970)
  • Edge: Milled
  • Metal: 
    • 1551–1816: Silver
    • 1816–1920: 92.5% Silver
    • 1920–1946: 50% Silver
    • 1947–1970 Cupronickel. Zero Silver

In today's money they are 2½p. It doesn't sound much but at the time it was a weeks pocket money! It was a popular coin when in circulation and is now popular with collectors as it has a long history and many nice specimens can be obtained at affordable prices.

Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
If you don't see a coin in the list below try the Sixpences page on eBay UK
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1565 Elizabeth 1 Sixpence Coin
1565 Elizabeth 1 Sixpence Coin
£ 50.00
W597: 1565 Elizabeth 1st Hammered Silver Sixpence, im Pheon, bust 1F. Spink 2561
W597: 1565 Elizabeth 1st Hammered Silver Sixpence, im Pheon, bust 1F. Spink 2561
£ 95.00
Elizabeth I Silver Hammered 6d Sixpence 3rd Issue (1565) MM Pheon S2561
Elizabeth I Silver Hammered 6d Sixpence 3rd Issue (1565) MM Pheon S2561
£ 169.00
1565 England-Britain Elizabeth I "Silver Penny" AR Silver 6 Pence AG Coin AP611
1565 England-Britain Elizabeth I "Silver Penny" AR Silver 6 Pence AG Coin AP611
£ 71.26
Great Britain UK ENGLAND 1565 Elizabeth l Hammered  Sixpence.
Great Britain UK ENGLAND 1565 Elizabeth l Hammered Sixpence.
£ 123.97

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