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 - 1933 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.

[edit] 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	925‰ 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
		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				500‰ silver
		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.

[edit] Mintmarks

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

[edit] References

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

Preceded by Sixpence (British)

Sixpence 1910-1966

Succeeded by Five cent coin (Australian)

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