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, 1929–33 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.

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	92.5% silver Silver Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal... , 7.5% copper (an alloy known also as "Sterling Silver")	Reeded	Edward VII  EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: Fidei defensor Fidei defensor is a Latin title which translates to Defender of the Faith in English and Défenseur de la Foi in French...  IND: IMP: Emperor of India Emperor/Empress of India was used as a title by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II, and revived by the colonial British monarchs during the British Raj in India....   by George William de Saulles George William de Saulles George William de Saulles was a British medallist. He authored and designed the obverse of coins from the United Kingdom and its colonies under Edward VII....	1908 coat of arms of Australia Coat of arms of Australia The coat of arms of Australia is the official symbol of Australia. The initial coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908, and the current version was granted by King George V on 19 September 1912, although the 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, notably appearing on...  (with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA Advance Australia Fair "Advance Australia Fair" is the official national anthem of Australia. Created by the Scottish-born composer, Peter Dodds McCormick, the song was first performed in 1878, but did not gain its status as the official anthem until 1984. Until then, the song was sung in Australia as a patriotic song...  on ribbon) SIXPENCE by W.H.J. Blakemore
		1911	1936						George V George V of the United Kingdom George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....   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				50% silver Silver Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal... , 50% copper & nickel (?)
		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 Dei Gratia Regina Dei Gratia Regina is Latin for By the Grace of God, Queen. This phrase appears on the obverse of all Canadian coins to the right of the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II....   by Mary Gillick Mary Gillick Mary Gillick was a sculptor best known for her effigy of Elizabeth II used on coinage in the United Kingdom and elsewhere from 1953 to 1967....
		1955	1963						Elizabeth II  + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick Mary Gillick Mary Gillick was a sculptor best known for her effigy of Elizabeth II used on coinage in the United Kingdom and elsewhere from 1953 to 1967....