🪙 About the 1955 UK Sixpence

The sixpence, or "tanner", had long been a favorite among the British public. The 1955 issue was among the first struck during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, making it both a continuation of tradition and a marker of a new royal era.

Specifications:

• Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II

• Composition: Cupronickel

• Weight: 2.83 grams

• Diameter: 19.3 mm

• Edge: Milled

• Obverse: Portrait of a young Elizabeth II with the inscription +ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA

• Reverse: Crowned interlaced floral emblems of England (rose), Scotland (thistle), Ireland (shamrock), and Wales (leek)

• Minted: Royal Mint, UK

🕰 Historical Insight

1955 was just the third year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Coins from this period carry a sense of freshness, optimism, and renewal for the post-war United Kingdom. The design reflects unity across the nations of the UK, expressed through national floral emblems.

🧭 Collecting Note

Finding this sixpence in a bulk eBay lot adds charm to its origin. It’s not just a coin — it’s a connection to the dawn of the Elizabethan era, discovered unexpectedly among a mix of global pieces. Perfect for thematic collecting or showcasing early QEII coinage.