Where does “sixpence” come from?

Sixpence comes from English six and English penny, ultimately from Old English siex, Proto-Germanic sehs, and Proto-Indo-European swéḱs, meaning the number six.

sixpence (English): The value of six old pence; half of a shilling;...

Definitions

  1. The value of six old pence; half of a shilling;...

Ancestry of “sixpence”, step by step

sixpence traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Six

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishSixintelligence service
2Middle Englishsixsix
3Old Englishsixsix
4Proto-West Germanicsehssix
5Proto-Germanicsehssix
6Proto-Indo-Europeanswéḱssix

via English Pence

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishPence(the subunit of the pound sterling or Irish pound)
2Middle EnglishpenyA penny or other silver coin including ancient coins
3Old Englishpenningpenny
4Proto-Germanicpanningaza coin, penny
Every word from Proto-Indo-European swéḱs →Every word from Proto-Germanic sehs →Every word from Proto-West Germanic sehs →