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Tradition of
The Lucky Sixpence |
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Something
Old, Something New,
Something
Borrowed, Something Blue,
and a
Sixpence in Her Shoe. |
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Meaning of the Lucky Wedding Sixpence |
| The Lucky Sixpence was
originally to be given to the bride from her father and placed in her
left shoe. He did this to wish her all the blessings a father can give
to his daughter. It was to symbolize good health for the couple as well
as great wealth. Most important is was to ensure his daughter happiness.
It is then typically pass down from generation to generation in a
family. |
| Today the Wedding
Sixpence is given to the bride from many sources. It is a popular bridal
shower gift, a lovely gift from the bride's father, and is also a
keepsake and family heirloom handed down from mother to daughter or
father to daughter. |
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History of the Sixpence |
In England, the first sixpence were minted in
the reign of Edward VI in 1551. They were rendered obsolete by
decimalisation in 1971. The
last British Sixpence was minted in 1967 , except for a special 1970
proof set. On the Sixpence the images of many Kings and
Queens appear. The Wedding Sixpence purchase in today's market are seen
mainly with the image of Queen Elizabeth II . Minted 1953 to 1967. On
the back of the coin are the Emblems of Britain. The Rose, Thistle, Shamrock
and Leek. Also found is FID DEF above and the SIXPENCE with
date below.
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| Rose: England- St. George - The
national flower of England is the rose. England’s emblem since
the time of the Wars of the Roses _ civil wars (1455_1485). |
| Thistle: Scotland - St. Andrew - The
national flower of Scotland is the thistle, a prickly leaved
purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a
symbol of defense. |
| Leek: Wales- St. David - One explanation
of how the leek came to be adopted as the national emblem of
Wales is that St David advised the Welsh, on the eve of battle
with the Saxons, to wear leeks in their caps to distinguish
friend from foe. |
| Shamrock: Northern Ireland- St. Patrick -
The national flower of Northern Ireland is the shamrock. The three leafed
shamrock represents the Trinity. |
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Other Traditions and Uses for the
Sixpence |
- Used as a good luck charm by Royal Air Force Aircrew. Sewn behind
their wings or brevets, dating back to the Second World War.
- The Groom can carry a Sixpence in His Shoe.
- Musicians use them as a Lucky Guitar Pick.
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How to clean your Queen Elizabeth II
Sixpence |
| If your coin is a valuable coin we suggest
leaving it alone. Cleaning coins will 90% of the time decrease their
value. These Sixpence coins are made of cupro nickel. It is very important
not to dip your Sixpence in a Silver Cleaner. It will ruin your
coin. The best way to clean them is to use warm soapy distilled
water and a soft toothbrush only when necessary. Buff dry. Remember if you are
worried about the value of the coin it is best left alone. Store
your Sixpence away from other coins. |
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