Sixpence (Australian)

The Australian Sixpence was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It was minted from 1910 until 1963, excluding 1913, 1915, 1929–33 inclusive, 1937, 1947 and 1949. After decimalisation 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.

Types

Image		Years		Technical parameters				Description / Legend / Designer
Obverse	Reverse	From	To	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		1910	1910	19 mm		2.82 g	92.5% silver, 7.5% copper	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
		1911	1936						George V GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP: by Bertram Mackennal
		1938	1945						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP. by Thomas Hugh Paget
		1946	1948			2.82 g	50.00% silver, 40.00% copper, 5.00% nickel, 5.00% zinc
		1950	1952						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF. by Thomas Hugh Paget
		1953	1954						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA by Mary Gillick
		1955	1963						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Mintmarks

• D : Denver
• M : Melbourne
• PL : London
• S : San Francisco

References

• Australian Sixpences
• Bruce, Colin R.; Thomas Michael (2005). 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins (1901-present). KP Books. p. 68. ISBN 0-87349-987-5.  Cite uses deprecated parameters (help)
• Sixpence article on Cruzis Coins

Preceded by Sixpence (British)	Sixpence 1910-1966	Succeeded by Five cent coin (Australian)

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