$5 Price Drop 200 YR OLD SIXPENCE FOR LUCKY BRIDE ' S SHOE: 1819 GEORGE III UK
Item History & Price
"Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue . . .
and a SIXPENCE for her shoe!"
Up for auction is a single, authentic, exactly 200 Year Old (1819) King George the Third sixpence for one very lucky bride's shoe.
I. THE BICENTENNIAL OF A COIN OF THE REALM
The last few years have seen the popular revival of a tradition of (usually the father of the Bride) placing an old sixpence -- an English coin long out of circulation -- in the... Bride's left shoe before walking down the aisle.
A photo of the Maid of Honor or Father of the Bride placing this sixpence in the Bride's left shoe before the ceremony could make the coin a treasured keepsake: the proverbial "jolly, jolly sixpence to last them all their lives."
This sixpence was minted in the Tower of London in 1819, the second to last year that a sixpence would feature the likeness of King George III. Unlike in the United States, British coins depict the reigning sovereign. George III departed this veil of tears in January 1820 to be succeeded on Great Britain's throne and coinage by his wastrel son, George IV.
If the bride will be tying the knot before the new year, this coin will be exactly 200 years old on the wedding day -- today it celebrates its bicentennial.
Think of the amusing possibilities this coin presents for the toast and reception conversation: Perhaps you could lead off with memories of what was happening during the USA's 1976 bicentennial, when we celebrated the 200th anniversary of American Independence from George III. Such a sweet year! At the reception, the disc jockey would be playing ABBA's "Dancing Queen" for they very first time or perhaps ". . . sky rockets in flight, af-ter noon delight! . . . , " The bride would be twirling, resplendent in her lace-chiffon maxi-dress, and the uncles would be drinking whiskey sours and talking about how boring the President was.
II. THE SIXPENCE TRADITION
It is said that placing a sixpence in the bride's left shoe before the ceremony brings the married couple a future filled with luck, wealth, and happiness.
Many online narratives report that the sixpence tradition dates back at least to the sixteenth century. These accounts claim that in Elizabethan times, the "Lord of the Manor" would present a sixpence to his (or someone else's) Bride to Be as a charm to ensure future prosperity.
This old custom -- memorialized in the earlier and allegedly more correct version of "Something old, something new, . . ." is supposed to have been all but abandoned in the US during the time of King George III. The problem was not lack of respect for tradition or uncouth manners, but the rarity of sixpence coins in the U.S. after the colonials expelled the King's Redcoats from His Majesty's former American colony.
Supposedly, during the past decade, a few enterprising Americans attending weddings in the UK noticed how this charming sixpence tradition figured both at the end of the familiar rhyme and in the marriage ceremony in the British Isles. How unfortunate that a practice handed down from Elizabethan times -- and so perfect for a selfie -- had become callously forgotten in the US. Thanks to these entrepreneurs (and increasing opportunities to shop online for unusual, vintage items from England) today's American Father of the Bride or Maid of Honor can help to resurrect a proud and magical tradition!
And if you are willing to spring to for this 200 year old sixpence, you get the "something old" part covered in the bargain without having to worry about anyone calling you cheap. No additional charge for the many complements you will doubtless receive for your cleverness, not only for knowing about the old tradition, but for pulling it off in such a classy way.
III. THE TRUE FACTS
Other (and quite probably better researched) accounts suggest that the "something old" rhyme and the increasingly popular association of the sixpence with weddings were popularized in England 400 years later in Victorian (not Elizabethan) times. Because many Americans loved all things British during the gilded age, the custom was quickly adopted by some in the US. Several decades later the coin in the shoe practice all but disappeared from U.S. weddings. Nobody remembers when or why this practices was disguarded, providing enterprising merchants with an enticing opportunity to make up the "Lord of the Manor" tale out of whole cloth.
Folklore dating back to 16th century Britain does spin tails of fairies and others dropping sixpence coins in deserving women's shoes. Shockingly however, all the old manuscripts tell of reasons other than weddings for these gestures. For further details, check here: https://www.tilly-online.com/something-old-something-new/?v=79cba1185463
IV SO WHY BUY THE SIXPENCE THEN?
The trend these days seems to be for people to be inclined to believe whatever makes them happy or what they think might make them happier. I have not been very lucky in my efforts to dissuade those who tilt this way.
Perhaps you, dear prospective purchaser, like the idea of acting as you might imagine that a sixteenth century Lord of the Manor might have acted on his daughter's big day. If the Bride to Be has a particularly patriotic inclination, she might consider it especially lucky to be wed while stepping on a 200 year old depiction of the face of the King who pronounced American aspirations toward independence from kings to be a "delusion." On the other side of the pond, if the Bride still has a place in her heart for King George, she may find the kind old image of him on this sixpence lucky. Though by the time the image was rendered the King had drained Britannia's treasury -- and was frequently and increasingly bat-poop crazy -- many Royal subjects did and still do regard him quite sympathetically.
(More recently, similar sympathies may have been in play with the election of the UK's new Prime Minister after he proclaimed that voting Tory would improve the voter's significant other's figure and increase the voter's chances of owning a BMW M3. Some Americans also have a soft spot for monarchs and their quirks, although as far as we know, not even King George proposed buying Greenland from Denmark.)
Wherever the Bride comes from, the likelihood that this sixpence tradition had not yet become a "thing" when old King George III was alive should not bother you at all. While George III probably never would have imagined future brides stepping on his face as they marched down the aisle to take their solemn vows, Victoria surely would be "not amused" with having to bear a disproportunate share of this abuse.
This is where the Order of the Garter motto surrounding the shield of the royal coat of arms on the reverse side of the coin comes in: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" -- "may he be shamed who thinks badly of it." How appropriate this old adage is for a modern wedding -- as the old King's face is for the modern Bride's shoe.
Whatever the reason you may think this coin will bring the Bride good fortune, wealth, and contentment, that is fine. Go ahead and bid.The young couple needs all the help they can get.
V. NUMISMATIC MATTERS
Unlike most of the sixpence coins you will see on offer, this is a coin with real numismatic value. Ask your coin collecting friends: show them the coin in the photograph -- that is the one you will get -- with its nice, clear and well defined features. Doubtless General George Washington would agree that King George probably deserved that one scratch.
Also, don't worry about such a nice sixpence being stepped on by the Bride during the ceremony: I will include a comfortable plastic cover to protect it while it is in her shoe. I will pack the coin in a shiny metallic cardboard jewelry box to store the sixpence in during the reception and after.
Though I think this coin is quite handsome for 200 years old, I am not qualified to make representations as to grade. If the newlyweds want they can have the coin professionally evaluated and slabbed right after the honeymoon.
VI. CAVEATS AND DETAILS
As you think about how to gather the other things listed in the "something old" rhyme, please bear in mind that this is not a one stop wedding shop: I do not have any new, blue garters the Bride can borrow, so please do not ask.
The sixpence is 100% guaranteed to be fully satisfactory or return it to me for a full refund within 30 days less shipping. However, I provide no warranty, express or implied, if the lucky sixpence malfunctions later on.
At some point, many Grooms have been known to complain that they have "no pence to spend and no pence to lend and no pence to send unto my wife, POOR WIFE." Placing this coin in the Bride's left shoe will almost certainly assure that the condition is temporary and that the Groom does not turn out to be a wastrel like George IV. (Oh, how much better it would have been for the House of Hanover if Caroline of Brunswick, George IV's bride, had known about the importance of getting someone to put a sixpence in her wedding footwear.)
In any event, during times that it is "for poorer, " and before it is once again "for richer, " this gift at least will remind the patient Bride that she still has something from you of lasting value far greater than just your two cents worth.
After you bid, please check out my other pipes, coins and oddities: FREE SHIPPING or save on shipping when you purchase more than one qualifying item.
Items shipped within 2 business days of payment. Thank you for paying promptly.
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue . . .
and a SIXPENCE for her shoe!"
Up for auction is a single, authentic, exactly 200 Year Old (1819) King George the Third sixpence for one very lucky bride's shoe.
I. THE BICENTENNIAL OF A COIN OF THE REALM
The last few years have seen the popular revival of a tradition of (usually the father of the Bride) placing an old sixpence -- an English coin long out of circulation -- in the... Bride's left shoe before walking down the aisle.
A photo of the Maid of Honor or Father of the Bride placing this sixpence in the Bride's left shoe before the ceremony could make the coin a treasured keepsake: the proverbial "jolly, jolly sixpence to last them all their lives."
This sixpence was minted in the Tower of London in 1819, the second to last year that a sixpence would feature the likeness of King George III. Unlike in the United States, British coins depict the reigning sovereign. George III departed this veil of tears in January 1820 to be succeeded on Great Britain's throne and coinage by his wastrel son, George IV.
If the bride will be tying the knot before the new year, this coin will be exactly 200 years old on the wedding day -- today it celebrates its bicentennial.
Think of the amusing possibilities this coin presents for the toast and reception conversation: Perhaps you could lead off with memories of what was happening during the USA's 1976 bicentennial, when we celebrated the 200th anniversary of American Independence from George III. Such a sweet year! At the reception, the disc jockey would be playing ABBA's "Dancing Queen" for they very first time or perhaps ". . . sky rockets in flight, af-ter noon delight! . . . , " The bride would be twirling, resplendent in her lace-chiffon maxi-dress, and the uncles would be drinking whiskey sours and talking about how boring the President was.
II. THE SIXPENCE TRADITION
It is said that placing a sixpence in the bride's left shoe before the ceremony brings the married couple a future filled with luck, wealth, and happiness.
Many online narratives report that the sixpence tradition dates back at least to the sixteenth century. These accounts claim that in Elizabethan times, the "Lord of the Manor" would present a sixpence to his (or someone else's) Bride to Be as a charm to ensure future prosperity.
This old custom -- memorialized in the earlier and allegedly more correct version of "Something old, something new, . . ." is supposed to have been all but abandoned in the US during the time of King George III. The problem was not lack of respect for tradition or uncouth manners, but the rarity of sixpence coins in the U.S. after the colonials expelled the King's Redcoats from His Majesty's former American colony.
Supposedly, during the past decade, a few enterprising Americans attending weddings in the UK noticed how this charming sixpence tradition figured both at the end of the familiar rhyme and in the marriage ceremony in the British Isles. How unfortunate that a practice handed down from Elizabethan times -- and so perfect for a selfie -- had become callously forgotten in the US. Thanks to these entrepreneurs (and increasing opportunities to shop online for unusual, vintage items from England) today's American Father of the Bride or Maid of Honor can help to resurrect a proud and magical tradition!
And if you are willing to spring to for this 200 year old sixpence, you get the "something old" part covered in the bargain without having to worry about anyone calling you cheap. No additional charge for the many complements you will doubtless receive for your cleverness, not only for knowing about the old tradition, but for pulling it off in such a classy way.
III. THE TRUE FACTS
Other (and quite probably better researched) accounts suggest that the "something old" rhyme and the increasingly popular association of the sixpence with weddings were popularized in England 400 years later in Victorian (not Elizabethan) times. Because many Americans loved all things British during the gilded age, the custom was quickly adopted by some in the US. Several decades later the coin in the shoe practice all but disappeared from U.S. weddings. Nobody remembers when or why this practices was disguarded, providing enterprising merchants with an enticing opportunity to make up the "Lord of the Manor" tale out of whole cloth.
Folklore dating back to 16th century Britain does spin tails of fairies and others dropping sixpence coins in deserving women's shoes. Shockingly however, all the old manuscripts tell of reasons other than weddings for these gestures. For further details, check here: https://www.tilly-online.com/something-old-something-new/?v=79cba1185463
IV SO WHY BUY THE SIXPENCE THEN?
The trend these days seems to be for people to be inclined to believe whatever makes them happy or what they think might make them happier. I have not been very lucky in my efforts to dissuade those who tilt this way.
Perhaps you, dear prospective purchaser, like the idea of acting as you might imagine that a sixteenth century Lord of the Manor might have acted on his daughter's big day. If the Bride to Be has a particularly patriotic inclination, she might consider it especially lucky to be wed while stepping on a 200 year old depiction of the face of the King who pronounced American aspirations toward independence from kings to be a "delusion." On the other side of the pond, if the Bride still has a place in her heart for King George, she may find the kind old image of him on this sixpence lucky. Though by the time the image was rendered the King had drained Britannia's treasury -- and was frequently and increasingly bat-poop crazy -- many Royal subjects did and still do regard him quite sympathetically.
(More recently, similar sympathies may have been in play with the election of the UK's new Prime Minister after he proclaimed that voting Tory would improve the voter's significant other's figure and increase the voter's chances of owning a BMW M3. Some Americans also have a soft spot for monarchs and their quirks, although as far as we know, not even King George proposed buying Greenland from Denmark.)
Wherever the Bride comes from, the likelihood that this sixpence tradition had not yet become a "thing" when old King George III was alive should not bother you at all. While George III probably never would have imagined future brides stepping on his face as they marched down the aisle to take their solemn vows, Victoria surely would be "not amused" with having to bear a disproportunate share of this abuse.
This is where the Order of the Garter motto surrounding the shield of the royal coat of arms on the reverse side of the coin comes in: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" -- "may he be shamed who thinks badly of it." How appropriate this old adage is for a modern wedding -- as the old King's face is for the modern Bride's shoe.
Whatever the reason you may think this coin will bring the Bride good fortune, wealth, and contentment, that is fine. Go ahead and bid.The young couple needs all the help they can get.
V. NUMISMATIC MATTERS
Unlike most of the sixpence coins you will see on offer, this is a coin with real numismatic value. Ask your coin collecting friends: show them the coin in the photograph -- that is the one you will get -- with its nice, clear and well defined features. Doubtless General George Washington would agree that King George probably deserved that one scratch.
Also, don't worry about such a nice sixpence being stepped on by the Bride during the ceremony: I will include a comfortable plastic cover to protect it while it is in her shoe. I will pack the coin in a shiny metallic cardboard jewelry box to store the sixpence in during the reception and after.
Though I think this coin is quite handsome for 200 years old, I am not qualified to make representations as to grade. If the newlyweds want they can have the coin professionally evaluated and slabbed right after the honeymoon.
VI. CAVEATS AND DETAILS
As you think about how to gather the other things listed in the "something old" rhyme, please bear in mind that this is not a one stop wedding shop: I do not have any new, blue garters the Bride can borrow, so please do not ask.
The sixpence is 100% guaranteed to be fully satisfactory or return it to me for a full refund within 30 days less shipping. However, I provide no warranty, express or implied, if the lucky sixpence malfunctions later on.
At some point, many Grooms have been known to complain that they have "no pence to spend and no pence to lend and no pence to send unto my wife, POOR WIFE." Placing this coin in the Bride's left shoe will almost certainly assure that the condition is temporary and that the Groom does not turn out to be a wastrel like George IV. (Oh, how much better it would have been for the House of Hanover if Caroline of Brunswick, George IV's bride, had known about the importance of getting someone to put a sixpence in her wedding footwear.)
In any event, during times that it is "for poorer, " and before it is once again "for richer, " this gift at least will remind the patient Bride that she still has something from you of lasting value far greater than just your two cents worth.
After you bid, please check out my other pipes, coins and oddities: FREE SHIPPING or save on shipping when you purchase more than one qualifying item.
Items shipped within 2 business days of payment. Thank you for paying promptly.
