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Australia Elizabeth II

1956 Sixpence

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The 1956 Sixpence was struck at the Melbourne Mint with a total mintage of 7,904,000. This is the lowest mintage year in the second type of the Elizabeth II sixpence series. Despite this, the coin is still relatively easy to acquire in circulated grades but can be quite a tough coin in higher mint-state grades.

The Melbourne Olympics in 1956 ensured a large number of tourists entering Australia causing an increased need for circulating currency. As a result, an overwhelming number of 1956 sixpence entered circulation making higher mint-state grade pieces rare. Despite this, the coin is still available in lower mint-state grades as many tourists would have left the country with lightly circulated examples of the date as souvenirs of their trip to Australia. The coin is generally well struck up although typical mint-state examples will have numerous light bag-marks indicative of light handling. Finding an example free of such marks can be quite a challenge and is as such the toughest date in the Elizabeth II series to acquire in top grades.