🪙 About the 1957 UK Sixpence

The sixpence, known colloquially as a “tanner,” was a staple of British pre-decimal currency. The 1957 issue proudly displays Queen Elizabeth II in the early years of her reign, accompanied by a floral reverse that highlights the unity of the UK.

Specifications:

• Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II

• Composition: Cupronickel

• Weight: 2.83 grams

• Diameter: 19.3 mm

• Edge: Milled

• Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, inscription: +ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA

• Reverse: Crowned emblems of rose, thistle, shamrock, and leek — representing England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales

• Minted by: The Royal Mint

🕰 Historical Insight

1957 marked a time of quiet confidence in post-war Britain. Queen Elizabeth II, just five years into her reign, embodied stability. This sixpence connects us to everyday transactions, family traditions, and the symbolic unity of the British Isles.

🧭 Collecting Note

Part of your eBay-acquired lot, this coin might have once passed through hands in local shops or Sunday markets. It’s more than metal — it’s a tactile link to mid-century life in the UK.