The value of a British sixpence coin depends on several factors, including:
- Date: Sixpences were minted from 1551 to 1980. Coins from different periods, particularly earlier ones, can have varying values. Some specific years are also considered rarer and therefore more valuable.
- Condition: The better the condition of the coin, the higher its value. Terms like “uncirculated,” “extremely fine,” “fine,” and “poor” are used to describe a coin’s condition and impact its price significantly.
- Composition: Sixpences were made of silver until 1947, then cupro-nickel. Silver sixpences have an intrinsic value based on their metal content, which fluctuates with the price of silver.
- Rarity and Mintage: Some sixpences are rarer than others due to lower mintage numbers or errors. For example, the 1828 sixpence is considered the rarest circulating sixpence with a mintage of only 15,840. Another example is the 1952 sixpence, which was only issued in a small batch to Jamaica, making it one of the rarest sixpence coins issued in the past 125 years.
- Historical Significance: Some coins may hold special value due to their connection to a significant historical period or event. For example, coins from the reign of George V were struck during World War I.
- Worn or common sixpences: May be worth little more than their bullion value (if silver) or a few dollars.
- Circulated Silver Sixpences (before 1947): The silver content gives them some intrinsic value, which will fluctuate with the market price of silver.
- Rare or high-grade examples: Can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The 1828 sixpence, for instance, can be valued at £100 in worn condition and £1,000 in uncirculated condition. The 1893 Jubilee head sixpence can be worth up to £10,000 in uncirculated condition.
- 1967 Sixpence (copper-nickel): Common, typically costs around $1.39 in uncirculated condition.
- George V Silver Sixpence (pre-1936): Average circulated examples can be purchased for around $17.52.
- 1948 King George VI Sixpence: Considered rare and valued around $1200.
- 1952 Sixpence (King George VI): Very rare due to limited mintage, can be worth around £30 for an MS60.
- 1953 Australian Sixpence (Queen Elizabeth II): Significant historical value and low mintage, can be worth up to $1,100 for an MS66.
- Prices fluctuate and are dependent on buyer demand.
- It’s always best to have a coin authenticated and appraised by a reputable coin dealer or numismatist for an accurate valuation.
- Resources like online auction sites and coin dealers can provide examples of past sales and current offerings, but be wary of listings that seem too good to be true.
Are sixpence coins worth anything?
An unworn sixpence dated prior to 1920 contains 0.0841 oz of silver, and this gives a bullion value of about £1.07 or US$1.51. Sixpence from the period 1920 to 1946 contain 0.0454 oz of silver and thus had a bullion value of £0.58 or US$0.81.
What is a 1964 sixpence worth today?
I can help with that. So a 1964 Sixpence – Queen Eliabeth II is 6 (old) pennies or half a shilling. One fortieth of a pound. In today’s money it would be worth 2½ pence.
Why is a 1963 sixpence rare for sale?
High grade cupro-nickel coins are becoming harder to find, and owing to lack of appreciation in the wider dealer market even the choicer grades are bulked in with low grade material increasing tarnish, bag marks and the like.
Is a 1960 sixpence coin silver?
Great question! The coin was made from silver from its introduction in 1551 until 1947, and thereafter in cupronickel.