THE STORY ABOUTTHE SILVER SIXPENCE

As the supply of silver threepence coinsslowly disappeared, Royal Mint sixpences replaced them as the coinstraditionally put into Christmaspuddings.^[6] From the Victorian era onwards, it becametradition to mix a threepence or sixpence into the ingredients when preparing aChristmas pudding, as the coin was believed to grant good luck. Preparedon Stir-upSunday, the lastSunday before the start of Advent, the coin would be placed into the mixture, then themixture was stirred by every member of the family. When it came to eating thepudding on ChristmasDay, whoever found the sixpence intheir slice would receive good luck in the year to come.^[27]

In Britain, there is a well-knowntradition of the bride wearing "Something old, something new, somethingborrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe".^[28] A silver sixpence in the bride's shoe is atraditional wedding gesture for good luck; customarily the father of the brideplaces the sixpence, as a token of him wishing her prosperity, love andhappiness in her marriage.^[6]

They are also used as a good luckcharm by Royal AirForce aircrewwho have them sewn behind their wings or brevets, a custom dating back tothe Second WorldWar.^[29]