Sixpence Monarch Type Set

[richatthecroft]

Nearly there.

 Each Monarch since the Inaugural Sixpence issue.

Notable absences is a Phillip & Mary Sixpence (substituted here with a Mary Groat) and also a William & Mary, neither of which I have been able to source an example I would be happy with, the former will be a difficult gap to fill.  In terms of a Cromwell issue, I've resigned myself that it would be beyond my resources to ever acquire that Sixpence.  

I will in time add a nice example Hammered Elizabeth I and a Charles II- and I would like to add Proof George III & George IV example's well as a Proof William IV issue.  

What I've learnt: Sixpences are a difficult denomination to source in better grade!  The House of Stuart, particularly the Charles I period is the most interesting in terms of Coinage and Types of coinage.  

What I need to learn:  to take time and have more patience in curating a collection of this type.

Hope you enjoy taking a look at these Sixpence Types as much as I have enjoyed collecting them.  

 

1551- 53 Edward VI London, mm. Tun. The Boy King facing forward. Spink. 2843.  VF

1553- 54 Mary (Groat)  mm. Pomegranate. Crowned bust right. Spink. 2492 F/VF

1562 Elizabeth I Milled Issue, Crowned bust facing left, mm. Star, Spink 2596 VF+

1603 James I, First coinage, Crowned bust Right.  mm. Thistle. Spink 2647.  VF

1631- 32 Charles I First Milled issue.  Crowned bust left.  mm. Flower & B.  Spink 2855 GEF

1643- 44 Charles I Crowned bust left.  mm. Lion Spink 2876 VF 

1653 Commonwealth.  mm. Sun Spink 3219 F/VF

1681 Charles II, bust facing right.  Tower Mint.  Spink. 3382 EF

1687 James II facing left, Tower Mint, Spink 3413 EF

1696 William III, Bust facing right.  Tower Mint, Spink 3520 NEF

1703 Anne Pre- Union first bust left, Spink 3586 EF

1723 George I bust facing right, S. 3652 NEF

 1758 George IIFacing left, Spink 3711 EF

1787 George III, bust facing right, Spink 3749, Unc.

George III Later Milled coinage Unc.  

1821 George IV.  Unc.

1834 William IV, NGC MS63 

1839 Victoria Proof, Plain Edge. FDC

1853 Victoria Proof Reeded Edge NGC PF63

1887 Victoria Proof Jubilee Head, PCGS PR63 Cam

1893 Victoria Proof Veiled Head, NGC PF 64

 1902 Edward VII Matte Proof, NGC PF63

1911 George V, Proof FDC 

1927 George V, Proof CGS Unc. 92

1937 George VI, Proof PCGS PR66 Cam

1950 George VI Mid Century Proof issue NGC PF66

1951 George VI Proof Festival of Britain Issue Unc.  

1953 Elizabeth II Coronation Proof Issue NGC PF65 Cameo

1970 Elizabeth II Proof, Last Pre- Decimal issue, CGS Unc. 93

2021 Elizabeth II, Bergdahl design, NGC MS70

 

2021 Elizabeth II 22ct. Gold Proof NGC PF70 UC

2021 Elizabeth II 24ct Gold Proof 'Christmas' issue.  NGC PF70 UC. 

Edited October 20, 2022 by richatthecroft

[SidS]

Simply exquisite.

You are very right about sixpences being tough cookies to crack. I know the William and Mary coins are tougher, but I'm surprised you found the James II one first. It took me 15 years to find a James II! They are really uncommon.

I did try some years ago to put a date set of Early Milled sixpences together, and the Charles II, William III and George II were easy enough - funds permitting. The George I ones were insanely difficult other than the 1723.

[TheShinyStuff]

Stunning @richatthecroft, I'll be honest enough to admit that I know very little about the collection you have put together, other than that I absolutely love it!

The time & effort involved must be eye-watering, but clearly worth it, it must be very satisfying to see what you have done.

Congratulations, and good luck with the absentees.

[LawrenceChard]

11 hours ago, richatthecroft said:

Nearly there.

 Each Monarch since the Inaugural Sixpence issue.

Notable absences is a Phillip & Mary Sixpence (substituted here with a Mary Groat) and also a William & Mary, neither of which I have been able to source an example I would be happy with, the former will be a difficult gap to fill.  In terms of a Cromwell issue, I've resigned myself that it would be beyond my resources to ever acquire that Sixpence.  

I will in time add a nice example Hammered Elizabeth I and a Charles II- and I would like to add Proof George III & George IV example's well as a Proof William IV issue.  

What I've learnt: Sixpences are a difficult denomination to source in better grade!  The House of Stuart, particularly the Charles I period is the most interesting in terms of Coinage and Types of coinage.  

What I need to learn:  to take time and have more patience in curating a collection of this type.

Hope you enjoy taking a look at these Sixpence Types as much as I have enjoyed collecting them.  

1551- 53 Edward VI London, mm. Tun. The Boy King facing forward. Spink. 2843.  VF

1553- 54 Mary (Groat)  mm. Pomegranate. Crowned bust right. Spink. 2492 F/VF

1562 Elizabeth I Milled Issue, Crowned bust facing left, mm. Star, Spink 2596 VF+

1603 James I, First coinage, Crowned bust Right.  mm. Thistle. Spink 2647.  VF

1631- 32 Charles I First Milled issue.  Crowned bust left.  mm. Flower & B.  Spink 2855 GEF

1643- 44 Charles I Crowned bust left.  mm. Lion Spink 2876 VF 

1653 Commonwealth.  mm. Sun Spink 3219 F/VF

1681 Charles II, bust facing right.  Tower Mint.  Spink. 3382 EF

1687 James II facing left, Tower Mint, Spink 3413 EF

1696 William III, Bust facing right.  Tower Mint, Spink 3520 NEF

1703 Anne Pre- Union first bust left, Spink 3586 EF

1723 George I bust facing right, S. 3652 NEF

 1758 George I IFacing left, Spink 3711 EF

1787 George III, bust facng right, Spink 3749, Unc.

George III Later Milled coinage Unc.  

1821 George IV.  Unc.

1834 William IV, NGC MS63 

1839 Victoria Proof, Plain Edge. FDC

1853 Victoria Proof Reeded Edge NGC PF63

1887 Victoria Proof Jubilee Head, PCGS PR63 Cam

1893 Victoria Proof Veiled Head, NGC PF 64

 1902 Edward VII Matte Proof, NGC PF63

1911 George V, Proof FDC 

1927 George V, Proof CGS Unc. 92

1937 George VI, Proof PCGS PR66 Cam

1950 George VI Mid Century Proof issue NGC PF66

1951 George VI Proof Festival of Britain Issue Unc.  

1953 Elizabeth II Coronation Proof Issue NGC PF65 Cameo

1970 Elizabeth II Proof, Last Pre- Decimal issue, CGS Unc. 93

2021 Elizabeth II, Bergdahl design, NGC MS70

 2021 Elizabeth II 22ct. Gold Proof NGC PF70 UC

2021 Elizabeth II 24ct Gold Proof 'Christmas' issue.  NGC PF70 UC. 

I like your early ones the best.

How about you?

 

Edited October 20, 2022 by LawrenceChard

[LawrenceChard]

2 hours ago, SidS said:

Simply exquisite.

You are very right about sixpences being tough cookies to crack.

I have the same problem with guinea fowl eggs.😎

[richatthecroft]

 

 

8 hours ago, SidS said:

Simply exquisite.

Thanks-it is a nice set of coins.  

 

8 hours ago, SidS said:

You are very right about sixpences being tough cookies to crack.

With hindsight, Sixpences might not have been the best choice of denomination to collect for an inpatient collector like me!  I guess the lower the denomination, the more hammer (forgive the pun) coins got during their time in circulation- Shillings might have been the sweet spot?

 

8 hours ago, SidS said:

I know the William and Mary coins are tougher, but I'm surprised you found the James II one first. It took me 15 years to find a James II! They are really uncommon.

 

 I have seen several William & Mary Sixpences come up for sale either at dealers, and one or two at auction, but none of a decent grade, or at least a grade I would have been happy with- I set my stall out at only buying at EF or above in terms of Milled Sixpences.  Having said that, I consider myself extremely fortunate in being able to purchase my EF+ grade Charles I Briot Sixpence- albeit I had to purchase from an auction in the USA. My pig-in-the-poke has been a Phillip & Mary- there's an absolute dearth of this Sixpence, and I think I'm going to have to wait quite a while to find a decent VF example.  

Like you say, James II coinage is a nightmare to find- I think I very lucky to find one in such lovely condition, and without the usual and almost obligatory adjustment marks.   

8 hours ago, SidS said:

I did try some years ago to put a date set of Early Milled sixpences together, and the Charles II, William III and George II were easy enough - funds permitting. The George I ones were insanely difficult other than the 1723.

How far did you get with your collection?  What parameters did you set in terms of Grade/ Date range?  I would love to see them.  

Unlike your experience, I found Charles II extremely difficult to find- and when I did find the right one, I had to pay big for it- the photo above is not too flattering- the one below is more representative of it in hand, it has a lovely pastel green tone.

I am on the look-out for a Hammered Charles II which again, are a bit of a rarity.  

Agreed on the George I- mine is the 1723 😂 but like you say, try find an alternative year date, they are in hiding!  

 

[richatthecroft]

7 hours ago, LawrenceChard said:

I like your early ones the best.

How about you?

 

 

Hammered?  Yes, the difficulty with them is 'one man's meat, is another man's poison!'  Each type can be so different- I dare to say unique!  it's nigh on impossible to find one that meets all your requirements.  I set my stall out on the Portrait/ detail of design, rather than an 'all rounder'.  Out of all the Sixpences I have two favourites, both Charles I - The Hammered 1664 York, mm. Lion- and topping my list is the 1631- 32 Briot 1st milled issue, what a coin, I'm a lucky man- scarce in this condition, and no adjustment marks that plague nearly all of this issue.  

Out of the early milled issues, I think weighing up scarcity/ condition, the Charles II and the James II are my top two, the Charles II getting my top of the list award.  

Of the later coins, and likely in keeping with many a coin collectors view, the Victoria YH Proofs are lovely, and given that only a tiny amount of Sets were issued in both 1839 (the Una and the Lion Set) (c.300) and 1853- Sovereign down to Half Farthing and Maurice Bull citing the mintage as 'very few' c.20- 50 sets issued**, then the 1853 with the Reeded Edge is my favourite, particularly because of the Emerald tone my coin exhibits in the fields, and a 'two tone' Victoria Portrait.

The photos below are more representative of my coins 'in hand' rather than the photos above, which I had to magnify somewhat to use my cropping tool on the computer.  The Hammered Charles I has a very deep grey tone, but uneven on both the Obv. & Rev.  between 10 O'clock and 2 O'clock- perhaps some environmental damage to attract such uneven tone?  

**(but also acknowledging individual coins could be bought contemporaneously, but no records kept (Bull, English Silver Coinage since 1649)).

 

 

Edited October 20, 2022 by richatthecroft
Grammar, as usual!

[LawrenceChard]

2 hours ago, richatthecroft said:

 

Hammered?  Yes, the difficulty with them is 'one man's meat, is another man's poison!'  Each type can be so different- I dare to say unique!  it's nigh on impossible to find one that meets all your requirements.  I set my stall out on the Portrait/ detail of design, rather than an 'all rounder'.  Out of all the Sixpences I have two favourites, both Charles I - The Hammered 1664 York, mm. Lion- and topping my list is the 1631- 32 Briot 1st milled issue, what a coin, I'm a lucky man- scarce in this condition, and no adjustment marks that plague nearly all of this issue.  

Out of the early milled issues, I think weighing up scarcity/ condition, the Charles II and the James II are my top two, the Charles II getting my top of the list award.  

Of the later coins, and likely in keeping with many a coin collectors view, the Victoria YH Proofs are lovely, and given that only a tiny amount of Sets were issued in both 1839 (the Una and the Lion Set) (c.300) and 1853- Sovereign down to Half Farthing and Maurice Bull citing the mintage as 'very few' c.20- 50 sets issued**, then the 1853 with the Reeded Edge is my favourite, particularly because of the Emerald tone my coin exhibits in the fields, and a 'two tone' Victoria Portrait.

The photos below are more representative of my coins 'in hand' rather than the photos above, which I had to magnify somewhat to use my cropping tool on the computer.  The Hammered Charles I has a very deep grey tone, but uneven on both the Obv. & Rev.  between 10 O'clock and 2 O'clock- perhaps some environmental damage to attract such uneven tone?  

**(but also acknowledging individual coins could be bought contemporaneously, but no records kept (Bull, English Silver Coinage since 1649)).

 

 

Adjustment marks should probably be considered as a bonus.

If you noticed, I selected the Briot to "quote", but indeed many of the others are very desirable coins.

[arphethean]

Fantastic set and congratulations on putting it together. Really great coins, well chosen. 

I am embarking on a similar, but totally different quest, to obtain a shilling, florin where available,  halfcrown and crown from each portrait back to queen Anne. So no sixpences for me!

Shillings do seem to be a sweet spot. Plenty available in good grades at sensible prices. Do those now! 

[richatthecroft]

1 hour ago, LawrenceChard said:

Adjustment marks should probably be considered as a bonus.

If you noticed, I selected the Briot to "quote", but indeed many of the others are very desirable coins.

Why a bonus Lawrence?

Doh! I didn’t see your quote featuring the Briot, are you a Charles I fan?

Such an interesting and vast array of coin types, so interesting, particularly the Provincial/ Civil War issues and Siege piece coinage. 

[richatthecroft]

14 minutes ago, arphethean said:

Fantastic set and congratulations on putting it together. Really great coins, well chosen. 

I am embarking on a similar, but totally different quest, to obtain a shilling, florin where available,  halfcrown and crown from each portrait back to queen Anne. So no sixpences for me!

Shillings do seem to be a sweet spot. Plenty available in good grades at sensible prices. Do those now! 

Thanks.

Wow, that will be a fantastic collection. Update us along the way 👍 

Yes, I think a similar project collecting Shillings might well be my next target.  

 

[Bruce06]

23 hours ago, richatthecroft said:

Nearly there.

 Each Monarch since the Inaugural Sixpence issue.

Notable absences is a Phillip & Mary Sixpence (substituted here with a Mary Groat) and also a William & Mary, neither of which I have been able to source an example I would be happy with, the former will be a difficult gap to fill.  In terms of a Cromwell issue, I've resigned myself that it would be beyond my resources to ever acquire that Sixpence.  

I will in time add a nice example Hammered Elizabeth I and a Charles II- and I would like to add Proof George III & George IV example's well as a Proof William IV issue.  

What I've learnt: Sixpences are a difficult denomination to source in better grade!  The House of Stuart, particularly the Charles I period is the most interesting in terms of Coinage and Types of coinage.  

What I need to learn:  to take time and have more patience in curating a collection of this type.

Hope you enjoy taking a look at these Sixpence Types as much as I have enjoyed collecting them.  

 

1551- 53 Edward VI London, mm. Tun. The Boy King facing forward. Spink. 2843.  VF

1553- 54 Mary (Groat)  mm. Pomegranate. Crowned bust right. Spink. 2492 F/VF

1562 Elizabeth I Milled Issue, Crowned bust facing left, mm. Star, Spink 2596 VF+

1603 James I, First coinage, Crowned bust Right.  mm. Thistle. Spink 2647.  VF

1631- 32 Charles I First Milled issue.  Crowned bust left.  mm. Flower & B.  Spink 2855 GEF

1643- 44 Charles I Crowned bust left.  mm. Lion Spink 2876 VF 

1653 Commonwealth.  mm. Sun Spink 3219 F/VF

1681 Charles II, bust facing right.  Tower Mint.  Spink. 3382 EF

1687 James II facing left, Tower Mint, Spink 3413 EF

1696 William III, Bust facing right.  Tower Mint, Spink 3520 NEF

1703 Anne Pre- Union first bust left, Spink 3586 EF

1723 George I bust facing right, S. 3652 NEF

 1758 George IIFacing left, Spink 3711 EF

1787 George III, bust facing right, Spink 3749, Unc.

George III Later Milled coinage Unc.  

1821 George IV.  Unc.

1834 William IV, NGC MS63 

1839 Victoria Proof, Plain Edge. FDC

1853 Victoria Proof Reeded Edge NGC PF63

1887 Victoria Proof Jubilee Head, PCGS PR63 Cam

1893 Victoria Proof Veiled Head, NGC PF 64

 1902 Edward VII Matte Proof, NGC PF63

1911 George V, Proof FDC 

1927 George V, Proof CGS Unc. 92

1937 George VI, Proof PCGS PR66 Cam

1950 George VI Mid Century Proof issue NGC PF66

1951 George VI Proof Festival of Britain Issue Unc.  

1953 Elizabeth II Coronation Proof Issue NGC PF65 Cameo

1970 Elizabeth II Proof, Last Pre- Decimal issue, CGS Unc. 93

2021 Elizabeth II, Bergdahl design, NGC MS70

 

2021 Elizabeth II 22ct. Gold Proof NGC PF70 UC

2021 Elizabeth II 24ct Gold Proof 'Christmas' issue.  NGC PF70 UC. 

Very lovely n stunning collection, and thanks for sharing with us👍.  

Edited October 20, 2022 by Bruce06

[Happypanda88]

An impression collection you have there. Must have cost an arm and a leg so far to put together.

I couldn't bother including them in your silver £pound cost average spreadsheet. It would look aweful !  😁

[SidS]

12 hours ago, richatthecroft said:

How far did you get with your collection?  What parameters did you set in terms of Grade/ Date range?  I would love to see them.

Well I gave up and moved into medieval in the end and sold off most of them to fund the shift in focus. I do miss some of my old sixpences, I wish I'd kept my 1674, 1693, 1694 and 1697 specimens as they were rather nice.

I was doing a full date set of London mint sixpences from 1674-1787, most of my pieces were AVF to GVF grades, which was all within budget and not too difficult to obtain.

From memory I had managed:

1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1683, 1693, 1694, 1697, 1703, 1705 plumes, 1711, 1723 SSC, 1728 rp, 1728 roses (or possibly just plumes), 1731 rp, 1732 rp, 1739 roses, 1743, 1745 Lima, 1750, 1757, 1758 and both types of 1787.

I sold all of them, but later repurchased the 1728 and 1731 coins as I was considering attempting a George II sixpence set.

The reason I picked the sixpences was because there were far fewer types and dates and they were less popular. So I thought easier to put together a date set. However, they were so hard to find in some cases I lost momentum.

I may try again one day.

Edited October 21, 2022 by SidS

[LawrenceChard]

8 hours ago, richatthecroft said:

Why a bonus Lawrence?

Doh! I didn’t see your quote featuring the Briot, are you a Charles I fan?

Such an interesting and vast array of coin types, so interesting, particularly the Provincial/ Civil War issues and Siege piece coinage. 

Makes it "real" - part of the minting process

Briot, no just thought it was the best looking coin

Yes it is an excellent collection

😎

[richatthecroft]

3 hours ago, LawrenceChard said:

Makes it "real" - part of the minting process

Briot, no just thought it was the best looking coin

Yes it is an excellent collection

😎

I agree that the adjustment marks are part of the minting process, but in terms of eye appeal/ potential future value of the coin, I would much rather own a coin without.   

[richatthecroft]

5 hours ago, SidS said:

Well I gave up and moved into medieval in the end and sold off most of them to fund the shift in focus. I do miss some of my old sixpences, I wish I'd kept my 1674, 1693, 1694 and 1697 specimens as they were rather nice.

I was doing a full date set of London mint sixpences from 1674-1787, most of my pieces were AVF to GVF grades, which was all within budget and not too difficult to obtain.

From memory I had managed:

1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1683, 1693, 1694, 1697, 1703, 1705 plumes, 1711, 1723 SSC, 1728 rp, 1728 roses (or possibly just plumes), 1731 rp, 1732 rp, 1739 roses, 1743, 1745 Lima, 1750, 1757, 1758 and both types of 1787.

I sold all of them, but later repurchased the 1728 and 1731 coins as I was considering attempting a George II sixpence set.

The reason I picked the sixpences was because there were far fewer types and dates and they were less popular. So I thought easier to put together a date set. However, they were so hard to find in some cases I lost momentum.

I may try again one day.

That was an extremely nice collection you had there, and nice grades.  I would need to do a lot more research to go down the Medieval Rabbit hole, but I can see the attraction of those older coins.

I look forward to you perhaps returning to the Sixpences.  

[SidS]

5 minutes ago, richatthecroft said:

That was an extremely nice collection you had there, and nice grades.  I would need to do a lot more research to go down the Medieval Rabbit hole, but I can see the attraction of those older coins.

I look forward to you perhaps returning to the Sixpences.  

I still have some sixpences, shillings, half crowns and crowns from the early milled era, however the grades are all over the place, some are engraved, creased etc. Some really low grades, some a bit higher. These aren't my 'good' collection though, just my 'scrap' silver collection - most are of course not actually scrap condition. There's a lot of sixpences in it, but none high enough grade wise to make the cut, except maybe one of the William III pieces.

There's a bit of a mixture here, you see I never lost my love of early milled:

 

[Stuntman]

Lovely collection of Sixpences.

Apart from the stunning Charles I Briot's coin and Charles II specimen, I particularly like your Edward VI coin.

And your 1703 Vigo and your 1821 garnished shield...

Keep going!

[JTerry3]

Incredibly high quality collection. Aspire to having something like this one day but at the moment content with building a wider, less focused British coinage collection - of which your formerly owned 1711 Anne Sixpence is now proudly part! 😀

[Bruce06]

I am not having many sixpence on hand, most of them are Victorian.  Here is the latest addition to my collection, 1880 2nd head sixpence.

[SidS]

40 minutes ago, Bruce06 said:

I am not having many sixpence on hand, most of them are Victorian.  Here is the latest addition to my collection, 1880 2nd head sixpence.

That's gorgeous too!

Love sixpences.