What was a Sixpence?

Sixpences were commonly used coins in the 18th Century. In a time when £1 equalled 20 Shillings and 1 Shilling equalled 12 Pence, the Sixpence was effectively a half Shilling coin.

In the 18th century a minimum salary of £40 a year was required to support a family and to live a comfortable life £100 a year was needed. Average wages for a carpenter were around 3 Shillings a day or £39 a year, renting a house would cost around £10 a year, and a four pound loaf of bread (the standard size!) cost 5 Pence.

With a single Sixpence you could buy a shave and dressing one’s wig, a pound of local cheese, or you could have your chimney swept.