🪙 About the 1961 UK Sixpence

The sixpence, affectionately known as a “tanner,” was a widely used coin in the UK’s pre-decimal currency system. The 1961 issue features a youthful Queen Elizabeth II and a reverse design rich in floral symbolism representing the four nations 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 floral emblems — rose (England), thistle (Scotland), shamrock (Ireland), and leek (Wales)

• Minted by: The Royal Mint

🕰 Historical Insight

In 1961, the UK was quietly transitioning into the Swinging Sixties. This coin reflects a stable monarchy and the enduring traditions of British design. The crowned flowers emphasize the unity of the kingdom, even as society began to shift.

🧭 Collecting Note

Though easily overlooked in circulation, this sixpence stands out in your collection as part of a broader story. From a bulk eBay find to your curated archive, it adds depth, era-specific detail, and character to your British holdings.