For many, sixpence coins are more well known as a part of cultural lore than as a once-important part of the British pre-decimal monetary system, as well as that of several other nations, including Colonial America. So, for being a being a somewhat diminutive 19 millimeters, about the size of a United States one-cent coin, sixpence coins certainly have an incredible large presence in history.
During most of their production, sixpence coins were struck with a 92.5 percent silver composition, which in 1921 was reduced to 50 percent. In 1947, silver was removed completely from the coin, and was struck with a cupro-nickel composition until its last year of production in 1970.
Prior to decimalization of the British monetary system in 1971, a sixpence coin was a worth 1/40th of a pound sterling, though was devalued to the equivalent of 2-1/2 new pence until June 30, 1980.