The Australian Sixpence was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalization. It was minted from 1910 until 1963, excluding 1913, 1915, 1929–33 inclusive, 1937, 1947 and 1949. After decimalization on 14 February 1966, it continued to circulate at the value of 5¢, along with new 5¢ coins of the same size and weight.
During World War II, between 1942 - 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); from 1946 to 1963 they were reduced to 0.500 fine.
| Image | Years | Technical parameters | Description / Legend / Designer | |||||||
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| Obverse | Reverse | From | To | Diameter | Thickness | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1910 | 1910 | 19 mm | 2.82 g | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (an alloy known also as "Sterling Silver") | 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 |
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| 1911 | 1936 | George V GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP: by Bertram Mackennal |
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| 1938 | 1945 | George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP. by Thomas Hugh Paget |
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| 1946 | 1948 | 2.82 g | 50% silver, 50% copper & nickel (?) | |||||||
| 1950 | 1952 | George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF. by Thomas Hugh Paget |
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| 1953 | 1954 | Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA by Mary Gillick |
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| 1955 | 1963 | Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick |
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| These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table. | ||||||||||
| Preceded by Sixpence (British) |
Sixpence 1910-1966 |
Succeeded by Five cent coin (Australian) |
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