6 Pence

Zambia's 1964 sixpence was part of the inaugural coinage issued at independence in October of that year, when Northern Rhodesia ceased to exist as a colonial entity and the new republic required a distinctly national currency within weeks of the flag change. The denominations deliberately retained familiar sizing from the outgoing Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland coinage to ease the transition for a population accustomed to those pieces.

The nickel brass alloy chosen here was a deliberate departure from the pure nickel used by neighboring states, reflecting cost negotiations with the Royal Mint, which struck this inaugural series on contract.