Born in Hanover, George II became king on the death of his father, George I, in 1727. He was the last king to go into battle, leading British troops against France in 1743, at the age of 60. His government also defeated a Jacobite rebellion in 1745 led by the ‘Young Pretender’, Prince Charles Edward Stuart. 

Coins issued during the reign of George II featured on the obverse one of two coinage portraits of the king. The first, depicting a young king, was designed by The Royal Mint Chief Engraver John Croker and the second was a mature portrait by Croker’s successor, Johann Sigismund Tanner. It is possible that the sixpence’s nickname of a ‘tanner’ derived from the engraver’s name.

Both the ‘young head’ and ‘old head’ portraits depicted the king with long hair and wearing a laurel wreath. The George II sixpence was inscribed with ‘GEORGIUS II’ and ‘DEI GRATIA’ – by the grace of God. The reverse design featured four crowned shields representing England and Scotland, Ireland, France and the Electorate of Hanover.