TheRoyal Mint debased the silver coinage in 1920 from 92.5% silver to 50% silver. Sixpencesof both alloys were minted that year. This debasement was done because of therising price of silver around the world, and followed the global trend ofelimination, or reduction in purity, of the silver in coinage. The minting ofsilver coinage of the pound sterling ceased completely in 1946 for similarreasons, exacerbated by the costs of the Second World War. New "silver" coinage was instead minted in cupronickel, an alloy of copper and nickel.
In Britain, there is a well-known tradition of thebride wearing "Something old, something new, something borrowed, somethingblue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe". A silver sixpence in thebride's shoe is a traditional wedding gesture for good luck; customarily thefather of the bride places the sixpence, as a token of him wishing her prosperity,love and happiness in her marriage.
They are also used as a good luck charm by Royal Air Force aircrew who havethem sewn behind their wings or brevets, a custom dating back to the Second World War.
To retain this wonderful tradition our coins, withsignificant dates are now carefully mounted into a variety of Pendant Necklacesto be worn with great pride and satisfaction.
RJH.