Sixpence

The Blakemore design continued into this type, while after the coronation of Elizabeth II in late 1952, the

Obverse

The heads side of the coin

 

obverse design changed to the bust of Elizabeth II facing to the right with the

Legend

The inscription around the inner edge of the coin

 

legend, 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA', ('Elizabeth II, by the grace of god, queen'), designed by Mary Gillick. This

Legend

The inscription around the inner edge of the coin

 

legend was only used in 1953 and 1954, then was altered due to public outcry of the omission of 'FIDEI DEF' ('defender of the faith').

The 1953 is the scarcer of the two years and is quite difficult to source in

Mint state

A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation

 

mint state. The 1954 is relatively easy to acquire with many

Mint roll

A common means of distributing coins where a mint stores coins in paper rolls before distributing them to banks

 

mint rolls being found.

Both issues were struck from the Melbourne mint and no

Mintmark

A marking, usually a letter or dot that signifies which mint struck a particular coin

 

mintmarks were used.