The Sixpence: 5 Burning Questions Answered

Why is the Sixpence placed in Wedding Shoes and Christmas Puddings? Today we will explore some of the top questions surrounding the Sixpence coin, uncover the stories and traditions behind this tiny yet iconic coin.

1. What is a Sixpence Coin?

The Sixpence was once widely circulated in the United Kingdom and its former colonies. Worth 2.5p, it remained in circulation until 1980. The coin’s design and composition have evolved over the centuries, reflecting the changing faces of monarchs and the artistic trends of each era.

2. Why is the Sixpence Coin Associated with Weddings?

One of the most enduring traditions involving the Sixpence coin is its association with weddings. For many years, the father of the bride would slip a Sixpence into his daughter’s shoe before she walked down the aisle. The Sixpence stood for good luck, and to show that the father wished his daughter prosperity in her marriage.

Sixpence in wedding shoe - The Sixpence: 5 Burning Questions Answered
A Sixpence coin embedded in a wedding shoe

3. What is the Meaning Behind the Rhyme “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe”?

This famous wedding rhyme includes a set of superstitions and customs believed to bring good luck to the bride on her wedding day. The inclusion of a Sixpence in her shoe represents wealth and financial prosperity in the marriage.

4. What is the Sixpence Christmas Tradition?

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Sixpence coins were placed into Christmas puddings to give luck and prosperity

Beyond weddings and everyday circulation, the Sixpence coin has found its way into another cherished tradition – Christmas puddings. Dating back to Victorian England, it became a popular custom to include a silver coin in the mixture when preparing the Christmas pudding. The thought behind this was not only to add a bit of festive surprise but also to give luck and prosperity to the person fortunate enough to find the coin in their serving of Christmas pudding.

5. Are Sixpence Coins Still in Circulation?

In the United Kingdom, Sixpence coins ceased to be legal tender in 1980. However, these coins are still cherished by collectors and are often found in antique markets and online auctions. The historical value and unique designs of these coins make them sought-after items for all collectors.

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The Christmas Sixpence Frame – which contains an ORIGINAL Sixpence

Add a sixpence to your collection right now by clicking here >>

Selling Out BEFORE Christmas: The Father Christmas 50ps in Every Collector’s Stocking

Christmas is just round the corner, and before you know it, you’ll be singing Jingle Bells, drinking mulled wine and digging your way through boxes and boxes of chocolates.

But, what else does that mean most importantly?

A whole selection of Christmas 50ps!

FIVE brand new Father Christmas 50p coins have just been issued by Jersey for Christmas 2023. Take a look at the video below…

Collectors have been rushing to secure their favourite specifications and Christmas coin releases notoriously have sold out way in advance of Christmas in previous years.

So if we’ve put you in the festive mood, click here to view our whole range >>

PLEASE NOTE: The Father Christmas Colour BU 50p Set is already SOLD OUT.


The Father Christmas BU 50p Set

Beautifully made up of each of the brand new Father Christmas 50ps, this set arrives in a bespoke festive presentation pack. It’s one of the only ways to own all five of these coins as a complete set.

Each 50p has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated Quality. So whether for family, a fellow collector, or as an early Christmas gift to yourself – this is a MUST-HAVE set.

Click here to secure yours >>

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The Father Christmas Silver Proof 50p Set

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Silver Proof 50p set.

Each 50p design has been brought to life through vivid colour printing in this set, standing out with a stunning Proof Finish.

The set arrives in a deluxe Presentation Case, alongside an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. With just 500 sets available worldwide, this is a rare gift giving opportunity.

Click here to secure yours >>

The Father Christmas Silver Colour 50p Set All Rev with Obv Copy - Selling Out BEFORE Christmas: The Father Christmas 50ps in Every Collector’s Stocking

The Father Christmas BU 50p Christmas Cards

The perfect Christmas card to give to family and friends.

This Brilliant Uncirculated 50p coin arrives safely encapsulated in a winter scene Christmas card, ready for you to fill with your own personalised message.

Available in non-colour and colour!

Click here to secure your colour BU 50p card >>

Click here to secure your non-colour BU 50p card >>


The Father Christmas Mint Masters Set

What makes this 50p set so special?

Consisting of TEN brand new 50p coins, the Mint Masters set features the Silver Proof Colour and a Mint Masters EXCLUSIVE – the non-colour Silver Proof 50ps paired with them.

Only 100 collectors will be able to say they own both of these stunning Silver sets in a deluxe wooden presentation case, also arriving with a signed Christmas card by the artist responsible for your Father Christmas 50p designs, David Young.

Click here to find out more >>

The Father Christmas Mint Master Silver Set - Selling Out BEFORE Christmas: The Father Christmas 50ps in Every Collector’s Stocking

Remember, you can also view the whole range by clicking here >>

Christmas at The Westminster Collection! The products on Santa’s Good List…

The countdown to Christmas has begun! With less than one month to go, we’ve got just the thing to brighten up your winter… an array of exquisite Christmas coins that could be yours this festive season!

Read on to learn more about the coins that have made it into The Westminster Collection’s “Good List” and how you can secure these cracking stocking fillers yourself…


1. The Silver ‘Christmas Gifts’ Rotating Coin

Coming in first with the best in snow is the Christmas Gifts Rotating 5oz Silver coin! Renowned for their incomparable sell-out history and remarkable innovative technology, The Royal Canadian Mint have certainly outdone themselves with this festive edition

Holiday Gifts Silver 5oz Lifestyle 04 - Christmas at The Westminster Collection! The products on Santa’s Good List…

This exquisite Christmas coin is struck from 5oz of 99.99% pure silver and embellished with a gold-plated garland. What’s more, the grand 65mm diameter allows you to appreciate every detail of this stunning minting!

Using a 3D sculpture and gyroscopic technology, Santa and his elves are truly brought to life as the elves spin around the coin! Click here to see for yourself in our video! But hurry – we have less than 50 remaining! >>


2. Christmas with The Royal Mint: The Snowman and the Snowdog BU 50p

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the timeless classic Christmas film, The Snowman, with his return to UK 50p coins. But to make this Christmas more special than ever, he is joined for the very first time by his four-legged friend: The Snowdog!

The adorable reverse design has been created by Robin Shaw – the assistant director of the original The Snowman and The Snowdog film – as it hits its 10-year anniversary.

The coin is accompanied by official Royal Mint packaging, which for this special occasion, takes the form of a stunning festive Christmas card encapsulating your Brilliant Uncirculated 50p!

With our Gold and Silver allocation fully sold-out, you must act now and secure one of our remaining few Snowman and Snowdog 50ps to avoid missing out on one of the most popular releases this Christmas…

Click here to secure your The Snowman™ and The Snowdog BU 50p for the official Royal Mint price of JUST £11! >>


3. The Ultimate Christmas Lenticular coin: Santa’s Sleigh

Treat yo’ELF this Christmas with the perfect stocking filler for all the family! This fun-filled lenticular coin from The Royal Canadian Mint is embellished with the rich colours of Christmas and an interactive feature only you can control…

Tilt the coin from one way to another and watch Santa’s elves hop around his sleigh!

Santas Sleigh Coin Lifestyle GIF SMOL - Christmas at The Westminster Collection! The products on Santa’s Good List…

The Royal Canadian Mint have been producing exquisite lenticular coins since 2008. But despite their changing designs, one thing stays the same… consistent sell-outs! Even with mintages as high as 100,000, lenticular coins still fly off the shelves.

But with less than 40 remaining and Christmas right round the corner, this tiny allocation won’t be around for long…

So, make someone’s Christmas with the brand-new Santa’s Sleigh Lenticular Coin and secure yours today for JUST £29.99 (+p&p) >>


4. The SOLD-OUT 2018 Christmas Nutcracker BU £5

In 2018, The Royal Mint celebrated Christmas with the Nutcracker £5 coin. Designed by acclaimed Royal Mint engraver, Harry Brockway, this coin depicts the enchanting Christmas Nutcracker scene!

Struck to superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, your coin has been carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker packaging with that all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality and authenticity.

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Given its stunning minting and festive sentiment, this coin is now SOLD-OUT at the Royal Mint! But today, we have a select few remaining just in time for Christmas at the small price of £24.99.

Click here to avoid missing out on this sell-out coin! >>


5. Harry Potter Limited Edition Christmas Card

Following the extreme success of the 2022 Harry Potter 50p’s, it is only fitting to celebrate Christmas at Hogwarts with this Harry Potter Christmas Commemorative!

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Featuring the iconic Hogwarts ‘H’ symbol in vivid full-colour, this stunning product has been expertly plated in 24 Carat Gold to an immaculate Proof finish.

But, out of the 2,022-edition limit, we have just 32 remaining! So, get your wands at the ready this festive season and give someone a spellbinding Christmas…

Click here to magic yours into your collection NOW! >>


Explore the rest of the Christmas range yourself – find the perfect gift for you or your loved ones this festive season by clicking here >>